Masters de Feu is strengthening its commitment to more responsible pyrotechnics

How can we continue to inspire thousands of spectators while responding to today’s environmental challenges?For Masters de Feu, this question is no longer just a topic for reflection. It is becoming a true commitment.

Starting with the 2027 edition, the international pyrotechnics competition will implement an Environmental Charter and a technical guide for participating teams. This approach reflects a drive for continuous improvement, bringing together organisers, pyrotechnicians, partners... and spectators alike.

Evolving a tradition without giving up emotion

Pyrotechnic shows are part of the great popular traditions. They accompany national celebrations, major cultural and sporting events, and bring together several million spectators worldwide each year.

Like any human activity, however, they have an environmental footprint.

Manufacturing fireworks, transporting teams, atmospheric emissions, waste, and audience travel: these issues are now clearly identified.

At Masters de Feu, the choice is clear:not to deny these impacts, but to act concretely to reduce them.

“Our ambition is not to claim that a fireworks display has no impact. It is to improve our practices year after year through innovation, research, and the sharing of best practices.”

An Environmental Charter to drive the profession forward

From 2027 onward, all teams invited to Masters de Feu will be part of a new Environmental Charter.

Beyond the safety rules already in force, this charter will encourage in particular:

• the use, where possible, of products made in Europe;
• the use of productswithout debris;
• limiting plastic components;
• the use of candles featuring biodegradable wadding;
• exemplary management of pyrotechnic work sites;
• systematic sorting of waste during setup and dismantling operations.

The goal is not to impose an additional constraint, but to encourage the innovations that will allow pyrotechnics to keep evolving.

Innovation at the heart of the competition

Because the environmental transition is also a powerful source of creativity, Masters de Feu will create, from 2027, theMasters de Feu Award for Sustainable Innovation.

This distinction will reward teams that combine artistic excellence, technical innovation, and exemplary environmental commitment.

The choice of products, the innovations proposed, the quality of the work site, and initiatives aimed at reducing waste will all be part of the criteria assessed.

The aim is to make Masters de Feu a true laboratory for the best practices of tomorrow.

Pooling resources to reduce transport

Among the measures already implemented, Masters de Feu made the choice, as early as 2025, to pool part of the pyrotechnic equipment made available to international teams.

A shared stock ofmortarsandeffect supports, provided by ARTEVENTIA, makes it possible to avoid each team transporting its own heavy equipment to Compiègne. This arrangement eases logistical constraints, reduces the volume transported by heavy goods vehicles, and helps lower the environmental footprint associated with the show.

This approach reflects a strong conviction at Masters de Feu: environmental progress does not rely solely on the products used, but also on a smarter, more collaborative event organisation.

A commitment shared with spectators

Reducing the environmental impact of an event does not depend solely on organisers.

The audience also has an essential role to play.

That is why Masters de Feu will invite every spectator to adopt a few simple gestures capable of making a real difference.

Getting there differently

For major events, audience travel is often the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Whenever possible, Masters therefore encourages:

• the use of public transport;
• carpooling;
• cycling;
• walking for spectators living nearby.

Every shared vehicle directly helps reduce the evening’s overall footprint.

Respecting an exceptional venue

The racecourse welcomes several thousand visitors each year.

Preserving this natural setting is a collective responsibility.

Masters invites everyone to:

• use the bins provided;
• prioritise waste sorting;
• avoid leaving packaging behind;
• respect green spaces and facilities.

At the end of each edition, a specialised company is commissioned to ensure the complete cleaning of the site. This work complements the efforts carried out by the technical teams throughout the event.

An approach based on objective data

Measuring is essential to progress.

On the occasion of the Fête du Lac d’Annecy, ARTEVENTIA and the city carried out a full carbon assessment using the international methodologyGHG Protocol.This assessment identified the main sources of emissions of a very large pyrotechnic show.

This approach confirms that reducing the environmental impact of an event depends as much on overall organisation, audience mobility, and logistical practices as it does on pyrotechnic products alone.

Masters de Feu aims to continue this transparency-driven approach in order to guide future actions based on measured data rather than assumptions.

Preserving the future of a popular art form

For nearly ten years, Masters de Feu has stood for a certain vision of pyrotechnics: demanding, creative, and forward-looking.

The environment is now part of that ambition.

Because preserving emotion does not mean refusing to evolve.

Because innovation has always been the very essence of pyrotechnics.

And because the most beautiful shows are also those that stand the test of time.