Our Environment
We are improving our environmental performance by promoting sustainable working practises, reducing our annual energy usage and being committed to the principle to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Mission
Our Mission
To be a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable creative organisation committed to protecting people and the planet.
What we are doing
Green Tourism Business Award
We are actively working towards the Green Tourism Business Award scheme to achieve accreditation for all three of our venues. The Green Tourism Business Award is an internationally recognised scheme which recognises the commitment of tourism businesses in relation to sustainability and act as a hallmark of ‘green quality’.
Green Arts Initiative
Aberdeen Performing Arts is proud to be a member of the Green Arts Initiative.
Run by Creative Carbon Scotland, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.
LED Lighting
Throughout our venues, we have been undertaking an LED conversion project to replace old light fixtures with energy saving LED lighting. We have also installed motion sensor lighting and our team ensure all other lighting is turned off when not in use.
An example of this change in action could be seen in September 2021, when our iconic His Majesty’s Theatre sign was taken down letter by letter for LED replacement, controller conversion and cleaning. Not only are the new LED lights brighter, but they are also more energy efficient, and the new controller means the sign can be switched off late at night to help save power.
Refill
Our cafés and venues are powering the Refill Revolution in Aberdeen by providing refill stations during the day for people who want to refill their own water bottles.
We also support International Refill Day (this year’s is on June 19th) to raise awareness of water waste.
Download the Refill app to find participating local locations here
Team Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen Performing Arts has an active Green Team, made up of Green Champions from around the organisation. The team leads on all our green initiatives and sustainability activities.
We have recently invested in a new Head of Finance and Sustainability post which will provide leadership and focus on our environmental sustainability.
We are investing in Change Maker posts within our Creative Engagement team, one of these posts will specifically focus on Climate Action.
Theatre Green Book Initiative
The Green Book is an initiative undertaken by the whole of theatre – working with sustainability experts Buro Happold – and sets out the path to a sustainable future. In three volumes it sets standards for making productions sustainably, for making theatre buildings sustainable, and for improving operations like catering and front of house.
Aberdeen Performing Arts has joined the Volume Two Beta trial group but have committed to using all volumes to help the organisation become more sustainable over the coming months and years.
Going Further
Across the organisation we are striving to achieve a sustainability in everything we do. Some of our other activities include:
- Recycling cardboard, glass, paper, plastic, toner cartridges and used batteries. Recycling bins are stationed throughout our venues to allow customers to recycle too
- Working with our partners at Aberdeen Inspired, we have introduced beehives and created a bee garden in the outdoor space at His Majesty’s Theatre
- Staff volunteering for local community projects such as the Friends of Seaton Park litter picks and the Marine Conservation Society “Beach Cleans” at Aberdeen Beach and Torry Battery
- Paperless meetings and payslips
- Our Senior Youth Theatre Climate Change project provides space for discussion and reflection, as well as giving a voice to young people
- In February 2022, we took part in a sustainability audit with Green Tourism and will be exploring ways to implement the recommendations from the audit over the coming months
Awards
Green Arts Initiative
Aberdeen Performing Arts is proud to be a member of the Green Arts Initiative.
Run by Creative Carbon Scotland, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.
