Help to small and medium-sized theatres to cut emissions and fuel bills has come via Ecovenue project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Ecovenue - Making London theatres more environmentally friendly
- 25 November 2013
London’s theatres, many of them renowned worldwide, have been set an ambitious target of slashing their carbon dioxide emissions by 60 % from 1990 levels by 2025. While most of the larger theatres in the UK capital have the resources to achieve the target, many of the smaller theatres away from the West End, lacked the expertise to make the necessary changes.
This is where the Ecovenue project stepped into help. During the three-year project, which began in 2009, some 48 theatres and performing arts businesses in Inner and Outer London were provided with professional advice on how to develop environmental policies, reduce energy use and improve their waste and water management. In addition, venues received advice on renewable energy options, composting and recycling.
The consultancy project was delivered through The Theatres Trust, which is the UK’s national advisory body for theatres, and involved each venue receiving an environmental audit.
Reducing emissions and encouraging energy efficiency
One of the aims of the project was to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 240 tonnes over the course of the three-year project. Project manager Tim Atkinson said that the project had far exceeded its targets and, in the long term, annual reductions of at least 80 tonnes, if not more, could be expected. The project helped many of the venues significantly reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfill sites by encouraging, for example, the recycling of scenery and costumes.
However, the most significant change brought about by the project was in the field of energy efficiency. Mr Atkinson said that one of the venues had been able to halve its heating bill, from around GBP 4 000 (EUR 4 695) per month to less than GBP 2 000 (EUR 2 347). As a result, the venue became more financially sustainable as well as more environmentally sustainable.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Ecovenue - theatre-specific environmental business support project for 48 SME theatre and performing arts venues across London” was GBP 688 279 (EUR 808 083), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing GBP 344 139 (EUR 404 041) through the “London” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.