Theatre Green Book rolls out Europe-wide with 2030 net-zero goal

The new certification process has been tested by a group of nine ETC theatres, which spent a year implementing the ETC Theatre Green Book measures to basic standard – including the UK’s Young Vic, Spain’s Teatro Arriaga and Det Norske Teatret in Norway.

The ETC Theatre Green Book will form a key part of the ETC network’s Sustainable Action Code and its pledge to become climate-neutral in the next six years.

The first European certification for sustainable theatre, the system will allow buildings and organisations to identify where they are on their environmental journey according to pre-defined goals across productions and operations.

For a theatre to identify its ranking as basic, for instance, it would need to ensure most of its productions giving 65% of materials used an afterlife – either by being used again or recycled.

ETC executive director Heidi Wiley welcomed the initiative, saying: "There is no question that European theatres have the desire to become sustainable organisations. The issue is how to make this change happen in an effective and efficient way across an entire continent."

She added: "We believe that networks of theatres can play a crucial role in supporting our sector to overcome challenges and push themselves to become climate neutral. We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Renew Culture and the Theatre Green Book to make sure this happens at scale across Europe."

Founded in 1988, the ETC promotes European theatre across nations as a platform for dialogue, democracy and exchange.

Members include Ukraine’s Left Bank Theatre, the National Theatre of Greece and France’s Théâtre National de Bretagne.