Environmental Sustainability

Over the past year, a growing number of staff have completed Carbon Literacy Training, equipping our team with the knowledge and confidence to make meaningful change. These sessions have sparked new ideas, informed decision-making, and helped us build a shared language around climate action.

In our venues, we’ve made practical improvements with measurable impact. All lighting in the Theatre and Studio has been replaced with LEDs, saving an estimated 46.9 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It’s a simple shift with significant results.

Our digital footprint is also under review. We’ve improved our website’s Ecograder performance score, reducing emissions per page load and adding a carbon tracker to monitor impact.

In the Mead Gallery, sustainability is shaping how we exhibit. We’ve introduced reusable packing sleeves for 2D works, replacing single-use materials. For international photography exhibitions, we print locally and display works without frames, reducing shipping and material waste without compromising quality.

These changes are part of a wider shift towards thoughtful production, responsible consumption, and long-term stewardship of our activities.

There’s more to do, and we’re not claiming perfection. But we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken and the culture we’re building, one where sustainability is woven into the creative process, not added at the end.

Case Study

LED Lighting Upgrade

This upgrade represents a huge step forward for us, both environmentally and operationally. By moving to LED and rechargeable systems, we are not only reducing our energy usage and cutting down on waste, but also improving the quality and reliability of our technical services. 

Updated 24 February 2026