Carbon emission fears put heat on festivals

International artists and writers are snubbing Australia as a journey too far because of their desire to reduce carbon emissions.

Canadian choreographer and dancer Crystal Pite. Picture: AFP

International artists and writers are snubbing Australia as a journey too far, turning down ­expenses-paid invitations from leading festivals and events because of their desire to reduce carbon emissions.

While artists in Europe and North America can opt for rail over air travel to minimise their carbon footprint, the prospect of long, fossil fuel-burning flights to Australia means some are simply refusing to come.

The Swedish buzzword newly circulating among Australian arts groups is flygskam, or “flight shame” — a taboo on polluting the atmosphere with jet travel.

Adelaide Writers Week director Jo Dyer said three authors recently had turned down invi­tations, including Pulitzer Prize-winning Eliza Griswold, who declined on environmental grounds.

British natural history writer Robert Macfarlane reportedly will not fly to Australia because of his carbon footprint, and another writer had accepted an invitation to Adelaide but then had a “crisis of conscience”.

While there may be other reasons why authors decide not to travel, Dyer said, “a number of authors this year are saying that they do not want to expand their carbon footprints”.

Jonathan Holloway, a former director of the Melbourne and Perth festivals, could not name specific instances of artists refusing to travel but said: “I am sure it has been a factor for some ­people.”

“I think there has been a sea change about travel … and ­people are considering the environmental impacts of what they do,” he said.

The Adelaide Festival’s co-­artistic director, Rachel Healy, mentioned renowned Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite as an artist who was sensitive about reducing her carbon footprint.

Pite’s agent, Jim Smith, said Pite continued to use air travel but her company, Kidd Pivot, considered the financial and ­carbon impacts of its touring ­activity.

“The company is trying to raise awareness ... that there is a need to work collaboratively in terms of touring a production, to ensure that carbon footprint of the tour is being considered,” Smith said.

Dyer, formerly chief executive of the Sydney Writers Festival, said concern about reducing carbon emissions had emerged as a potential new barrier to ­Australia’s cultural dialogue with the world.