07/07/2026
The Edinburgh Climate Festival, led by ELREC in partnership with NKS, has delivered another successful year on Saturday 27th June 2026.
Welcoming approximately 7,000 visitors and supported by 55 volunteers. This year’s edition continued its core mission of inspiring collective climate action across Edinburgh through a dynamic programme of live music, performances, talks, workshops, and interactive art installations, featuring more than 48 organisations working across the climate and sustainability sector.
The theme Intertwined explored the deep and inseparable connections between people, communities, and the natural environment, highlighting how climate, wellbeing, biodiversity, and social systems are fundamentally linked.
The programme encouraged reflection on shared responsibility and the importance of collaboration in building a more resilient and sustainable future. The festival also expanded its offering this year, introducing additional workshops and new art installations by local artists, alongside ongoing efforts to improve accessibility through sensory packs, visual guides, and pre-event support resources.
Sustainability remained at the heart of the festival’s delivery, with initiatives including a pedal-powered stage that generated renewable energy through audience participation, strengthened waste reduction measures such as prize based incentives for attendees bringing reusable containers, food waste composting, and the continued use of recycled and repurposed materials across the event.
The festival team also celebrated a successful trial using a selection of reusable returnable cups with Reposit’s borrow cup scheme, finding a 85% return of all reusable cups given out, fully relying on participant’s trust, with no deposit enforced. Additionally, a set fee was in place for all single use packaging purchases.
Organisers extend their gratitude to the National Lottery Community Fund, the headline climate sponsor, the University of Edinburgh, and their partners, Caledonian Horticulture, as well as Out of the Blueprint for sustainably printing the festival’s promotional materials.
ELREC also share their sincere appreciation for all staff, volunteers and attendees, for their continued support in helping shape a more sustainable and inclusive festival.
