Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan

It is easy to think that as an arts organisation we don’t have the power to make a change. Over 95% of UK arts organisations have nine or fewer employees. Yes, we are small, but collectively we can all make an impact!

At NYB we have been embedding our commitment to sustainability into the fabric of what we do as a genuine expression of our values. In the words of Greta, “no one is too small to make a difference” — and it is a principle that shapes everything we do. From what we eat to how we bank, from our performances to our supply chains, guided by B Corp, Julie’s Bicycle, and Arts Council England, we developed a three-year climate action plan in 2023 that weaves sustainability into every corner of our organisation.

Governance

At a governance level, sustainability is embedded through an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) committee that holds us to account. Alongside this, our commitment to equality of access continues to grow, with bursaries supporting underrepresented groups, and new CPD training that focuses on inclusive practice.

Advocacy

We are equally committed to advocacy, having declared a climate emergency in 2023 and actively bringing environmental discussion into our communications, social media, and organisational life — including a new role for an environmental champion on our Youth Council.

Operations

In our day-to-day operations, our website runs on UK renewable energy, we avoid fast fashion in our costuming by reusing wherever possible, and our travel bursaries encourage journeys by public transport. Even a single change – introducing Meat-free Mondays at our Residential – saved the equivalent of 417 tennis courts of forest, a powerful reminder of how consistent, modest choices can add up to something meaningful.

Creativity

Our creative work is inseparable from this mission. Echoes of Tomorrow places sustainability at its very heart  – a reminder that the arts can do more than reflect the world; they can inspire young people to change it. And behind the scenes, we work with ethically accredited suppliers, including Ticket Tailor, which donates to climate charities, and Project Merchandise, the UK’s only dedicated sustainable merchandise provider.

We don’t think we’ve got all the answers yet, but we’ll keep consciously striving to make better choices. Many organisations don’t share their climate actions for fear of criticism. Our goal is to be transparent and to tell the story of sustained, organisation-wide effort. From a small seed of enthusiasm, we have radically changed the way we work and we’re excited about the future.