Rep declares climate emergency on World Environment Day
On the 50th Anniversary of World Environment Day and during Birmingham Rep 's Climate Action Week, The Rep declared a climate emergency with a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and increase sustainability.
The theatre will deliver this ambition through strategic areas of work with an overall objective to be carbon neutral within ten years.
This journey has already begun with The Rep having reduced energy consumption by 50% since 2022; swapped to 95 per cent water-based products in its paint shop; redistributed the set for its recent production of 'Of Mice and Men '; replaced over 700 lamps and 50 fittings with LED filaments; ensuring conference materials are recycled; and where possible using pre-loved and recycled clothing for all productions.
The theatre has also signed up to the Oil Free Sponsorship pledge.
During the pandemic, the theatre industry responded to the Climate Crisis by creating a set of guidelines to support theatre making in a more sustainable way called the Theatre Green Book.
The Rep started its Green Book journey with last year 's Would You Bet Against Us? in collaboration with Told By An Idiot theatre company, where they successfully achieved a fully sustainable production.
The Rep, one of the UK 's leading producing theatres and the first theatre in the city to pledge, is part of a growing group of people in arts and culture creating a regenerative future that protects the planet and sustains everyone, everywhere.
The Rep 's executive producer Chloe Naldrett said: “It is time for artists and for cultural institutions to step up: it is our job to make a better, fairer, cleaner future irresistible. Our Declaration today is not our first step on this journey, but it is one that we are now ready to share with our audiences. ”
As part of the theatre 's Climate Action Week and its declaration, The Rep hosted an exciting week of exploration and discussion with artists, organisations, and audiences.
Victoria Marsom, member of The Rep 's Board of Trustees added “Declaring a Climate Emergency is a major strategic focus and priority for The Rep and as a Board it is a decision that we are fully committed to.
“Being a leading production theatre, we have a responsibility to set an example for our industry and drive change when it is needed.
“We tell powerful stories and convey important messages every day through our brilliant creative works, and our Climate Action Week of events and workshops is an extension of this.
“The Rep is determined to play our part in opening up the conversation and understanding what we can all do to make a difference for future generations and I'm very proud of the team making it happen. ”
Further information on all events at The Rep during Climate Action Week can be found here
Full details of The Rep 's current sustainable achievements can be found here
Further information on all events can be found at their website.