The future is now: Creating our sustainable planet together

Curtain call: Sustainability and the performing artsbsi-sustainability-performing-arts-580x330.jpg

November 27, 2023 - Performing arts and theater is a way for people to express themselves while connecting with the community, a captivating opportunity for personal expression and societal connection. From the melodies of music to the drama of theater, the appeal of Opera, the power of spoken word, and beyond, it represents diverse artistic forms staged in front of an audience.

Performing arts venues and festivals contributed to over $14 billion to the economy (a 122 percent rise from 2020.) The arts and related creative industries are a major economic force, comprising 4.5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (more than construction, transportation, mining, and agriculture) and adding over $877 billion to the nation's economy.

Venues can become sustainable with the proper sustainable event management system. At BSI, we align with your environmental concerns and values. Our guidance aids in events adhering to best practices on your green living journey.

Effectively tackling environmental responsibility involves not only focusing on energy and carbon emissions but also addressing other factors in performing art venues. In the realm of the arts, considerations such as hazardous materials, recycling and repurposing efforts, indoor air quality, transportation, and artistic content are some issues considered.

  • 81 percent of people believe the arts are a “positive experience in the world”
  • 77 percent of audiences believe cultural organizations should influence societal change in response to the climate emergency.
  • 87 percent of artistic audiences are worried about the climate crisis.

In the dynamic landscape of professional events in the 21st century, a fundamental necessity is a framework that has organically grown through the realms of event planning and management.

It’s critical to have the proper standards for sustainability in the events management industry, which is why ISO 20121 is the perfect solution.

What is ISO 20121?

ISO 20121 has been developed for the events industry to help put sustainability first when managing and delivering events. It takes into account the geography, culture, and social demographics of performing arts events. This standard allows you to take a long-term view and identify all potential impacts early on.

It covers every aspect of running a sustainable event, including leadership, planning, communication, supply chain management, and measuring performance. It also includes guidance and information to help implement the standard effectively.

Benefits of ISO 20121:

  • Cost and resource saving
  • Legal compliance
  • Responsible ‘corporate citizen’
  • Competitive edge
  • Corporate reputation
  • Risk management

Green practices improve efficiency and produce significant savings. The potential for cost savings has been a key motivator for businesses to embrace sustainability.

It’s imperative to have programs and resources in place to aid companies in becoming sustainable. One resource that is highlighting change is The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and these goals are targeted to achieve a better future.

Another resource promoting transformation is The Broadway Green Alliance (BGA). It’s an industry-wide initiative that educates, motivates, and inspires the entire theater community and its patrons to implement environmentally friendlier practices on Broadway and beyond. There is a toolkit offered to help companies become more green.

In 2007, BSI developed the world's first events sustainability management standard, originally called BS 8901, and now globally recognized as ISO 20121. BSI remains at the forefront of sustainability advancements, covering a wide spectrum of areas including environmental management, energy management, corporate social responsibility, product carbon footprinting, and biodiversity conservation.

At BSI, we are fully prepared to support your environmental stewardship initiatives. If you haven't yet joined the green community, there's no better time than the present. Regardless of the size of your business or any potential budget or time constraints, you can still deliver exceptional theater events with a strong sustainability focus. Wherever you currently stand in terms of event management, BSI offers a range of services that can be tailored to your specific needs.

Follow along for the next blog in the series, The future is now: Creating our sustainable planet together. To find out more about standards and how BSI can help your company become more resilient, click here.

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