New Wolsey Theatre Environmental Responsibility Policy/Action Plan

Updated June 2023

A key objective of The New Wolsey Theatre Company is to ‘develop our business model to ensure that our artistic ambitions are financially viable, flexible and environmentally sustainable.’

We join with all arts organisations across the theatre industry and beyond in recognising the climate emergency and the role each of us can play in contributing to, and advocating for, a sustainable future.

Our Business

Producing and Presenting live theatre and creating opportunities for community Participation are the core of our work. We operate two buildings, the New Wolsey Theatre and NW2, and utilise storage and rehearsal space in other buildings.

The New Wolsey Theatre building includes a 400 seat auditorium and foyer/bar facilities, office space and dressing rooms. It was built in 1978 and opened in 1979. Numerous capital projects have been undertaken over the last 20 years to modernise areas of the building, with environmental improvements always a key priority. We are proud that since 2012-13 our investment in building improvements has resulted in a 60% reduction in the carbon footprint created by our use of energy and water.

NW2 was built in 2020 includes a participation space and office accommodation. Environmental efficiencies are a key part of the design.

Our 2023-24 Strategic Priorities

Recruit expertise at board level. Awareness training at every level. Map current impact in all parts of our business – data collection, analysis and change programmes developed to achieve Green Book intermediate level sustainability – model one show to create a benchmark. Pick off the low-hanging fruit by April 2024 to begin reducing omissions. 1 production placing the climate emergency at its heart (produced or supported).

Our 2023-24 Actions

Action

Establish Environmentally Responsibility Task Group, chaired by a Board member with relevant expertise, recruit external advisor with relevant expertise, meet quarterly and oversee the progress and implementation of the environmental actions/strategic priorities.

Completion Date

Ongoing

Responsibility

Board

Add Environmental Responsibility as an agenda item to board meetings and provide detailed progress reporting to board papers, starting with the June 2023 board meeting.

Ongoing

Board

Establish Environmental Responsibility working group, to meet fortnightly, that includes staff members from across the workforce.

Ongoing

Executive team

Schedule Board, SMT and full staff environmental awareness training.

November 2023

Executive Team
Department Managers

Provide detailed training across the team in sustainable working practices and carbon literacy, creating an action learning project with panto 2023.

January 2024

Executive Team
Technical Manager
Production Managers

Develop ways and research best practice of communicating with the wider public and our stakeholders about our evolving Environmental Responsibility ambitions.

Ongoing

Executive Team
Head Of Marketing

Work with partners We Are Ipswich, Mid-Scale Regional Theatre Network, East Anglian Producing Consortium, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council and co-producing partners to cultivate and share learning, best practice and foster joined-up thinking.

Ongoing

Executive Team

Review and develop environmental policy to bring it in line with the new Green Book standards and harness board expertise to reach a cross-organisational improved level of responsibility.

Ongoing

Board
Executive Team

Map current impact in all parts of our business – data collection, analysis and change programmes developed to achieve Green Book baseline level sustainability – model one show to create a benchmark. Pick off the low-hanging fruit by April 2024 to begin reducing emissions.

March 2024

Executive Team
Technical Manager
Production Managers
Facilities Manager

Step-up our practice in making productions environmentally sustainable, establishing panto 2023 as the benchmark and ensure that creative and production teams have ownership of this ambition.

Ongoing

Executive Team
Technical Manager
Production Managers

Utilise a range of resources including Julie’s Bicycle CC Tools. Productions, Buildings and Operations Green Books. ABTT environmental impact resources, Carbon Charter Award scheme to ascertain a comprehensive understanding of our current carbon footprint to inform future plans to further reduce our environmental impact.

November 2023

Executive Team
Technical Manager
Facilities Manager

Douglas Rintoul
Chief Executive/Artistic Director