Energy accounts for more than half of NPO emissions

Electricity and gas consumption accounts for more than half of carbon emissions reported by National Portfolio Organisations (NPO), according to a report from Julie’s Bicycle and Arts Council England (ACE).

The Culture, Climate, Environmental Responsibility: Annual Report 2023-24 is the first to demonstrate how the current cohort of NPOs are embedding environmental responsibility – one of ACE’s four investment principles – into their operations.

It will now act as a benchmark to measure the progress of the portfolio through to 2027.

Data is submitted to Julie’s Bicycle via its Creative Climate tool, a carbon calculator covering environmental impact areas including artist/crew travel, audience travel, business travel, energy, fleet travel, freight travel, materials, show power, waste, water and travel.

A total 591 cultural organisations, equivalent to 60% of the portfolio, submitted data this year.

A spokesperson for Julie’s Bicycle told Arts Professional that while environmental reporting is not mandatory, it was “really pleased” with how many organisations submitted data “and applaud their dedication to making a positive impact through using their reported data to make informed environmental choices”.

Total emissions from organisations in 2023/24 reached 84,561 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e), with energy accounting for 54% of the total.

Reporting organisations spent a total £34.5m on 194 million kWh of energy – enough to power 13,681 UK households.

The report says 80% of energy-related emissions were generated by 16% of organisations in the portfolio.

There were 339 organisations that reported data for home working in 2023/24. Their combined energy usage amounts to 1% of total energy usage or 1.2% of total emissions.

The report adds that rising energy costs in recent years has prompted organisations to review energy contracts and bills, leading to adoption of LED lighting and energy-saving measures. There is growing interest in renewable energy, with onsite renewables amounting to 8% of total energy usage.

Meanwhile, waste is emerging as a significant source of emissions compared with previous years. It accounted for 28% of total reported emissions, with many organisations reporting an increase in the contribution of waste to their carbon footprints.

Artists and crew travel, business travel and freight were responsible for a combined 16% of total emissions reported. For tours, 80% of travel emissions are associated with artists and crew travel.

While large organisations contribute significantly to overall emissions, the report found medium-size organisations emit 36% of total emissions despite making up only 3% of reporting organisations.

“These findings highlight the potential benefits of targeting sustainability initiatives – and opportunities for capital investment upgrades – towards these organisations,” the report suggests.

Audience travel

The report says audience travel often represents the majority of an organisation’s emissions.

Reported emissions data on audience travel, which organisations currently submit separately, totalled 60,023 tCO2e in 2023/24. More than half of this total comes from car travel emissions.

If this figure was reported alongside other emissions data, it would equate to audience travel accounting for 42% of the total carbon footprint of the portfolio, which would make it the second-largest impact area after energy.

The report explains that while audience travel is not within an organisation’s control, it can influence it.

Many organisations reported measures for reducing the impact of audience travel. Three-quarters said they communicate and promote public transport options for travel to and from their organisations, while more than half (53%) said they have a staff travel policy that promotes low or zero-carbon travel.

Environmental progress

The report adds that NPOs are “taking bold steps towards environmental responsibility”.

Of the organisations that submitted data, 90% said they have an environmental policy in place, while 84% have an environmental action place.

Over two thirds (68%) have actively collaborated with other cultural organisations to find and share solutions to environmental issues, while almost three quarters (71%) of organisations have produced, programmed or curated work exploring environmental themes.

Organisations also reported several benefits to their efforts. Almost a third (29%) say they have attracted increased audiences or visitors through environmental activities or programming, while over a third (35%) say there has been profile or reputational benefits for doing so. Almost half (47%) said they had experienced direct financial benefits.

Alison Tickell, Julie’s Bicycle founder and CEO, called the report a celebration of steady and progressive cultural transformation.

“The case for culture and climate is no longer in any doubt. But how it is done is the real challenge,” Tickell added.