Mission on emissions

A clearer understanding of and commitment to sustainable development across the arts and closer co-operation in the London theatre sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are the latest initiatives intended to create a greener arts scene. The ‘DCMS Sustainable Development Action Plan 2008–2011’ outlines a range of options for the cultural industries, including tourism and the arts as well as sports and heritage. The report follows the Culture and Climate Change conference in January 2008, which aimed to assess understanding of the problem within the sector and inform the DCMS’s response. The Department is now considering further research into the effects that climate change may have on its sectors, and will extend the opportunity to carry out a carbon footprinting exercise to those bodies that didn’t take part before. A web-based resource called ‘Pathways to Sustainability’ will be developed to help organisations benefit from each other’s experience in establishing more sustainable ways of conducting their business. The intention to “ensure the theatres sectors’ compliance with EU legislation on the Energy Performance of Buildings (Display Energy Certificates and Energy Performance Certificates)” is also set out. In her foreword to the report, Arts Minister Margaret Hodge said that “culture, media and sport can play a major part in delivering a sustainable future, socially, economically and environmentally.”

Meanwhile, theatres and receiving venues in London can help to meet the Climate Change Action Plan targets on greenhouse gas emissions before 2025, according to a new report published by the Greater London Authority in collaboration with the commercial and subsidised theatre sectors. London’s theatres emit around 50,000 tonnes of carbon per year – equivalent to 9,000 homes. ‘Green Theatre: Taking Action on Climate Change’ offers practical and effective ways to reduce energy use whilst saving money. Wide-ranging recommendations include more accurate monitoring and measurement of energy consumption to enable theatre venues to charge production companies for their specific energy usage, and for venues to give production companies access to established contracts with recycling and waste firms. Advice on green procurement includes writing green policies into contracts, and incorporating energy efficiency savings into capital expenditure budgets. Switching stage lights on only half an hour before the performance “could collectively save over £100,000 a year in energy costs”. Other proposals relate to lighting, heating, cooling and hot water, and set design and construction. However, audience travel creates the largest carbon footprint, accounting for 35,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. If all those travelling to the theatre by car and half travelling by taxi switched to public transport, CO2 emissions would fall by approximately 14%. [[culture, media and sport can play a major part in delivering a sustainable future]]

In his preface, Mayor Boris Johnson said, “I am committed to a 60% reduction of London’s greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2025. This plan… will help theatres to communicate the message about climate change to audiences, without imposing on their artistic integrity or reducing the quality of shows”. Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre, said “London theatre is determined to lead from the front in minimizing our environmental impact. That’s why we support the Green Theatres initiative.”

Further information for theatres on how to their calculate carbon footprint is available at http://www.london.gov.uk/ mayor or http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk. ‘Green Theatre: Taking Action on Climate Change’ can be found at http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/publications/2008/09/green-theatres.jsp