Good news for tree fans. Organisers of T In The Park, which takes place this weekend of course, have pledged to plant 1600 trees in the Scottish countryside in order to ensure the event is "carbon neutral" – ie, that the carbon dioxide emissions caused by the festival are set off by the trees planted. Additional tree planting projects to be funded by the festival are planned in Mexico and Uganda.
Geoff Ellis, the boss of DF Concerts, who promote the festival, said the move was something they had been considering for some time, adding that he saw the tree planting venture as a way for the festival to have a "lasting legacy" with a positive impact on the environment.
The Scottish tree planting project will take place in Dumfries & Galloway. A local MSP, Elaine Murray, welcomed the project, saying: "This is an exciting project involving planting native species, recreating the forest as it would have been 6,000 years ago. [And] it will be a tremendous educational resource, and I am sure a great visitor attraction. I hope this will be taken up as an example of good practice by other events organisers".
Scottish band Franz Ferdinand, due to play at the festival this weekend, also welcomed the move, with lead singer Alex Kapranos telling reporters: "It's great that T in the Park has taken these steps towards making the event the biggest carbon neutral festival in the world. I think more festivals should take their lead - such thought and that extra bit of effort are hugely worthwhile and beneficial to the environment."