Home | About | City Hall | Contact | FAQ | Help | Jobs | Site map
| Home | About | City Hall | Contact | FAQ | Help | Jobs | Site map
|
| London Life | | | Mayor of London | | | London Assembly | | | Media Centre |
Press Release Mayor joins with London theatres to make the industry cleaner and greener The Mayor has announced that he is working with London's theatres to reduce their carbon emissions. Speaking at Somerset House where he helped launch the new energy efficient lighting scheme at the National Theatre, the Mayor announced a partnership across the London theatre sector with a shared goal of making London's theatres more energy efficient. The partners involved include the London office of Arts Council England, the Theatres Trust, Ambassador Theatre Group, the Independent Theatre Council, Equity and a number of key players from the industry who have all agreed to work with the Mayor to produce a Climate Change Action Plan for London Theatre. Climate change is a key priority for the Mayor and today’s announcement builds on the comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan launched by the Mayor in February this year. The Plan shows that London can achieve the 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions that the latest science shows is necessary to avert catastrophic climate change. But without action London's carbon emissions will grow from 44 million tonnes to 52 million tonnes by 2025. Like every other part of London life, its theatres have a role to play in the fight against climate change and today the theatre industry is setting an example to other London sectors with today’s announcement. The first stage of work will involve theatres undergoing an energy audit to establish the carbon footprint of the sector. Assessments will then be made to decide the most appropriate energy efficiency measures to reduce theatres carbon emissions. These could include using energy efficient lighting as the National Theatre is already doing, improving building insulation, as well as plans to encourage theatre-goers to use the most sustainable travel option to travel to and from shows. ‘Tackling climate change doesn't mean we have to stop enjoying ourselves, but it does mean that every sector of London life has to consider its impact on global warming. It is extremely encouraging to see the key players from across the theatre sector showing real leadership and commitment to reduce emissions and tackle climate change by coming together to produce the first ever Climate Change Action Plan for London Theatre, so that theatres across the capital can go green'. Sara Weir, Executive Director, London office of Arts Council England said: "Artists have for some years now been responding to the impact of climate change - documenting and expressing creatively the issues we face. Through support for such projects as Cape Farewell and Julie's Bicycle, and the carbon-neutral Arcola Theatre, we have begun to see the arts sector really taking a lead - not merely in contributing to the green debate, but in instigating organisational change. So we are delighted to be working with the Mayor's office and our other partners to help theatres across the capital take this forward. As funders of the arts, a commitment to sustainable, energy efficient practise must become central to our agenda; Greening London Theatre will, I hope, be a milestone on that journey." Rosemary Squire, Joint Chief Executive, Ambassador Theatre Group said: "Ambassador Theatre Group recognises the need to raise awareness of green issues and fully supports the Climate Change Action Plan for London Theatres. As a company, ATG is already taking steps to working towards a greener future and we are committed to achieving the highest standards of environmental performance." Welcoming the announcement, Visit London's Chief Executive James Bidwell said: "London's theatre industry is recognised as world class and one of the city's biggest attractions for visitors and Londoners alike. This initiative sends an important message that London is an increasingly green destination and one that is leading the way in making tourism more sustainable. Visit London is actively encouraging the adoption of greener practices among the tourism industry, as well as environmentally friendly behaviour by visitors. This will be a great help in promoting that cause." Mhora Samuel, Director the Theatres Trust said: "As The National Advisory Public Body for Theatres, The Theatres Trust is pleased to be supporting this initiative. We are committed to developing a total industry approach to helping theatres find ways of tackling climate change in their construction, refurbishment and building operation." Nick Starr, Executive Director, National Theatre said: "The National Theatre is delighted to be supporting this. There's so much that can be done to make ourselves more energy-efficient - whether it's attention-grabbing initiatives, or the incremental DIY stuff that delivers the extra percentage points. The NT is on a track to take 20% of its historical electricity consumption. There's no need to switch the lights off - it's about being smarter and getting everyone involved." Alistair McGowan, Actor and WWF Ambassador said: "Every actor wants their name in lights - it's great to think those lights will be energy efficient. I'm thrilled by this news and hope other industries (high profile or not) will follow suit". Ends Notes to Editors 1. The full list of organisations involved in the work are the London office of Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, Ambassador Theatre Group, National Theatre, Alistair McGowan, Actor and WWF Ambassador, PLASA, Independent Theatre Council, Arcola Theatre, Equity, Association of British Theatre Technicians - 'Theatre is all about collaboration and clearly there are a number of parties that need to join forces to address this issue. As the trade body representing the manufacturers and designers of entertainment technology we are fully committed to playing our part under the leadership of the Mayor. - Matthew Griffiths, CEO PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association) - ‘This has been a growing priority for ITC’s membership over the last few years and the sector wants to take part in helping bring about tangible and achievable change as well playing a leadership role in helping shift society’s thinking on the environment’ - Charlotte Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Theatre Council - Equity is committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation as soon as possible. This is an enormously challenging task but we are determined to do what we can to achieve this. Equity would be happy to support any moves across the entertainment industry to reduce its carbon impact. - Christine Payne, General Secretary, Equity - “Arcola, a pioneering off west end theatre with plans to become the worlds first carbon neutral theatre, is delighted to join this partnership to help bring the power of the theatre sector to this most pressing issue” - Ben Todd, Director, Arcola Theatre - 'The Association of British Theatre Technicians promotes good theatre design and technical presentation and advocates efficient standards for the building of theatres and the use of new technical knowledge. We are very pleased to be able to support the Mayor's initiative to develop guidance for a climate change action plan for Theatre in London and keen to contribute to that process and assist in the dissemination of its outcomes as widely as is possible' - Mark White, Chairman, Association of British Theatre Technicians 2. Copies of the Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan can be found at www.london.gov.uk <file://www.london.gov.uk>
|
|
| Top of page | Home | About | City Hall | Contact | FAQ | Help | Jobs | Site map |
