The Stage

ATG commits to green theatres

Published Tuesday 22 January 2008 at 13:40 by Lalayn Baluch

West End and regional venue operator the Ambassador Theatre Group has launched a new environmental policy, which will see efficient lighting installed throughout its theatres, sets constructed from sustainable timber, and a “housekeeping” drive to reduce energy consumption by 5%.

ATG currently uses 22 million kilowatt hours of energy every year, which costs the company £1.3 million annually. However, the new energy management programme will save 1.1 million kilowatt hours, cutting its bills by £65,000.

The move to encourage its ten West End venues and 13 regional sites to go green follows London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s industry-wide campaign, announced last year, to make the capital’s theatres more energy efficient and achieve a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025.

David Blyth, ATG operations and building development director, commented: “We are committed to achieving the highest standard of environmental performance, preventing pollution and minimising the impact of our operation on the environment.

“We aim to ensure that our operation complies with legislation and official codes of practice as a minimum level of performance. The key aims of the strategy are conserving energy through water, wood, paper and other resources, reducing waste through reuse and recycling, reducing our carbon dioxide emissions, researching our carbon footprint and setting annual targets to reduce our CO2 emissions.”

Environmentally friendly measures will include adopting new water management facilities to regulate flush systems and fitting low wattage lighting, which use 30% less power than standard bulbs in the auditoriums, toilets and bars. Contractors will be required to use sustainable practices. Staff will be encouraged to implement small housekeeping habits such as turning off lights and heating when not needed, using rechargeable batteries, and recycling.

Meanwhile, performer and World Wildlife Fund representative Alistair McGowan, who appeared in Little Shop of Horrors at ATG venue the Duke of York’s Theatre, said that environmentally friendly measures should become second nature to all industry members.

Speaking at ATG’s policy launch he added: “If the initiatives, no matter how small, are adopted London-wide, nationwide and indeed worldwide, they would have a significant impact in reducing theatreland’s carbon emissions.”