Since the first edition of Waterworks in 2021, we have had the honour of creating an immersive festival space nestled in Cedar woodland. With no traditional headliner structure, our ethos is rooted in investing in the diverse local electronic music scene and empowering people to express themselves authentically.

This ethos is essential in fighting the climate emergency as marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis while being at the forefront of climate activism. We believe social justice is climate justice.

Part of our commitment to our attendees, alongside throwing a day of collective joy, is to share our values and report on our initiatives transparently. Continuing a conversation on the place of festivals as agents of change and key for creating social connections in the current socio-cultural climate.

This report contains an overview of the environmental and social impact of our 2023 event, sharing what worked and what areas need improvement. Although we have been collecting impact data at Waterworks since 2021, this is the first year that Waterworks has a standalone impact report. We commit to being transparent and accountable in our work toward sustainability.

We’re still at the beginning of our journey and continuously improving our operation to be more sustainable; keep an eye out for our 2024 edition!