Eco scheme for London theatres

Small-scale theatres in London will be able to access environmental advice and free Display Energy Certificate (DEC) assessments, under a new Theatres Trust scheme. ‘ECOVENUE’ will receive £450,000 over the next three years from the European Regional Development Fund to help 48 London theatres. The scheme follows the Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan (AP178) to help theatres reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2025. Theatres Trust Director Mhora Samuel said “smaller theatres with less resources would find it harder to participate”. ECOVENUE will run until 2012, and will provide each participating theatre with a theatre-specific Environmental Audit, and DECs in 2010 and 2011. A DEC is a publicly displayed certificate showing information about the energy use of a building. The Trust will be employing a new Theatre Building Services Advisor to work with the participating venues. Non-participating venues can also benefit from a new website to be set up by the Trust. Theatres will be able to apply to be part of the project, and details of the application process are due to be announced shortly.