Environmental Sustainability of Creative Economy: Evidence from a Lithuanian Case Study

Tomas Kačerauskas,Rasa Bartkute,Dalia Streimikiene

doi:10.3390/su13179730

Tomas Kačerauskas, Rasa Bartkute + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179730

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Abstract

The objective of the undertaken study is to investigate the sustainability of creative economy and present a case study providing the main findings on the linkages between creative economy and sustainable development. The in-depth literature review of the creative economy and sustainable development offered the main insights in the development of the case study hypotheses. A case study on the biggest music festival that was organised in Lithuania is provided. The findings confirm that creative economy can be environmentally sustainable, and the customers identified their clear preferences for sustainability criteria in music festivals; however, not all these preferences are properly addressed by the organisers of cultural events, as it was revealed by this case study. The results of a quantitative study show that the festival participants are increasingly expressing the need for sustainable music festivals, but organisers have not yet taken the necessary actions to address this need. It is likely that, in the near future, the festival organisers in Lithuania will have to start applying various sustainability criteria during the festivals in order to attract more visitors and generate more income from such events as well to ensure environmental safety. The practical implications of conducted study are equally important for all stakeholders, such as the community, policymakers, companies, and regulatory agencies that are concerned with the implementation of sustainable development practices.

Highlights

There is an extensive debate in scholarly literature that discusses the absence of linkages between the creative economy and sustainability (Jain, Jain, 2020 [1]; Pradhan et al., 2017 [2]; Streimikiene et al, 2019 [3]; Nocca, 2017 [4]; Brocchi, 2008 [5]).According to (Streimikiene, Kacerauskas, 2020 [6]), the economic sustainability is related to the creative and cultural industries, and creativity promotes urban economic growth
At the declarative level, it is already clear that the creative economy is linked to the pursuit of sustainable development goals: job creation, contributing to the preservation and upgrading of cultural heritage, promoting sustainable tourism, promoting sustainable consumption, and other issues that are important for all humankind
The aim of this case study is to assess the sustainability of a music festival from the perception of its participants and test hypotheses provided in the introduction of this paper

Summary

Introduction

There is an extensive debate in scholarly literature that discusses the absence of linkages between the creative economy and sustainability (Jain, Jain, 2020 [1]; Pradhan et al., 2017 [2]; Streimikiene et al, 2019 [3]; Nocca, 2017 [4]; Brocchi, 2008 [5]).According to (Streimikiene, Kacerauskas, 2020 [6]), the economic sustainability is related to the creative and cultural industries, and creativity promotes urban economic growth. The harmony between creativity, economic activity, and sustainability is not evident. Music festivals, depending on their size, generate large cash flows and provide high input to the creative economy. It is often more important for organisations to reap financial benefits than pay more attention to the implementation of the principles of sustainable development at the events. Other events broaden the cultural horizon, inspire new ideas, and cultivate customs. The examples of such festivals are those that reflect the history, traditions, or culture of own or other nations. Some activities may as well lead to the exploration of opportunities, especially those that represent an issue of national or global importance and alert the public

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