Materials

• Reusing materials such as fabrics or props instead of buying new ones protects the environment. For example, materials that are screwed, rather than glued, together can be used again and again.

• Buying second-hand material and material that carries an environmental label reduces the environmental footprint of a production.

• When purchasing new materials, considering options for disposal, rental, or passing on increases their reusability and extends their life cycle.

• The use of environmentally friendly, reusable and durable materials promotes more sustainable production. As a result, disposable products are no longer necessary.

• If hazardous substances such as paints, varnishes, solvents and cleaning agents have to be used for stage sets or to clean rooms, more environmentally friendly alternatives can be considered.

• New purchases can be channelled through public supply chains or shops. This strengthens local economies and produces fewer emissions than online purchases.

• Repairing materials and costumes – instead of disposing of and replacing them – conserves resources and produces less waste.

• Hazardous materials can be disposed of sustainably at waste disposal centres instead of with residual waste.

• Lending or passing on materials to colleagues for reuse contributes to a climate-conscious approach. Shared storage areas also create networking opportunities.

• A digital inventory list provides an overview of materials that can be lent or passed on. It closes the material cycle and helps when communicating with guests on the available materials.

Stage equipment

• Checking whether stage equipment such as LED spotlights or loudspeakers can be reused can prevent the premature purchase of new equipment.

• Modular components can be reused for both in-house and external productions.

• If new purchases are made via public supply chains or shops rather than online, this reduces transport distances and emissions.

• The use of low-wattage equipment – such as energy-efficient LED lamps – reduces electricity consumption during performances and contributes to a reduction in energy consumption.

• Performances that require less lighting equipment reduce energy consumption. This makes an event more sustainable.

• Purchasing new equipment that can be repaired is conducive to the long-term utilisation of resources and the avoidance of electronic waste.

• Certain items of technical equipment and stage elements are not in use continually. Loaning them out or passing them on supports the circular economy and reduces the need for new productions.

• A digital inventory list for stage equipment that is suitable for lending makes it easier to pass on materials to colleagues. It is also helpful for the efficient use of materials.

Sustainability strategy

• It is beneficial to appoint contact persons or teams whose working hours are explicitly (even if not exclusively) dedicated to sustainability. Ideally, they should also work in the programming department so that sustainable work practices are firmly embedded across all areas.

• It is recommended that managers and decision-makers initiate and participate in the transformation processes. This helps ensure that the processes succeed.

• The practice of holding consultations on measures for more sustainable work practices on a regular basis has proven successful in many teams, especially when several areas of work and areas of responsibility were involved. These consultations facilitate planning and promote commitment, for example by clarifying the distribution and sequencing of tasks as well as time resources.

• A sustainability strategy ensures that sustainability is firmly embedded in an organisation. It outlines the organisation’s environmental, social and cultural goals and measures.

• Documenting development progress makes them easy to track. It also makes successes visible, thereby motivating continued efforts. The documentation also helps sustainability officers to further develop their sustainability strategy.

Support structures

• When involved at an early stage, landlords, authorities or sponsors may provide long-term support for transformation processes. With the help of external interest groups such as these, obstacles can be removed more quickly.

• Solid financing is the basis for implementing sustainability projects successfully. These relate to areas such as resource-saving infrastructure, climate-friendly event formats or educational programmes. Targeted research into funding can make a crucial contribution to successful transformation processes. Funding sources include ministries of culture, monument protection programmes, foundations or private donations.

• Architects, civil engineers, caretakers or sustainability experts: Specialists like these can help review and develop environmental sustainability measures, such as measures for buildings, energy efficiency or the use of materials. Through their expertise, bad investments can be avoided and viable sustainable solutions promoted.

• It is advisable for those responsible for materials to contact local initiatives, for example repair cafés, open workshops, theatre technicians and technical equipment rentals, city cleaning services or socio-cultural associations, at an early stage. Experience has shown that this conserves resources, promotes the culture of repairing and strengthens regional cooperation.

Production planning

• If planning is carried out early on and with sufficient lead time – also in financial terms – everyone involved can work sustainably throughout the production process. This reduces the stress-related waste of resources and time pressure.

• It is worth setting joint sustainability goals and planning measures already at the beginning of a collaboration. Examples include a digital programme booklet instead of a printed one, the use of recycled materials or the reuse of previous stage sets.

• Venues with established sustainability strategies have a better chance of supporting artists and collectives in running their rehearsals and performances in an environmentally friendly way. They can ask whether existing materials can be used, for example.

• An evaluation of the results of the measure(s) after the end of the project by artists or the production team and venue can be helpful for the next collaboration. This evaluation can also be used for progress or accountability reports.

Event planning

• For events, a “Guideline for working sustainably” improves internal communication and helps embed environmentally friendly practices in the planning process in the long term. It also provides orientation for future events.

• By clarifying with artists, guests guest artists and venues which material is available and usable ahead of time, material managers avoid unnecessary new purchases.

• Comparing digital, hybrid and in-person events helps organisers to find the most sustainable solution for each event.

• Sustainable digital platforms and software help reduce the environmental footprint of hybrid or digital events.

• Guest performances in several nearby locations reduce travel costs and emissions and extend the reach. When touring relies on funding models, coordinating strategically with funders helps make sustainable touring possible.

• Individual artists or groups of artists who want to use resources more efficiently and reduce their travel expenses can benefit from combining residencies with guest performance dates.

• Staging revivals instead of new productions conserves materials, makes stage sets usable for longer and promotes sustainable production structures.

• Taking climate-sensitive working strategies into account when selecting artists is conducive to sustainability in venues and at festivals.

Communication guidelines

• A team needs a common mission statement in order to produce more sustainably. The mission statement promotes a uniform understanding of sustainability and ensures alignment on sustainable working methods. It also makes sustainable principles visible to the public and the organisation itself.

• A contact person or working group on the topic of “sustainable production” ensures clarity on responsibilities. It also enables the continuous enhancement of sustainability measures.

• It is beneficial for the implementation of sustainability measures if responsibility is distributed within the team. Transparency ensures binding decisions for all internal and external stakeholders.

• Sustainability officers can obtain feedback, review measures and develop approaches at jour fixes on sustainability.

• Integrating sustainability into company outings or summer socials raises awareness of the topic within the team. It shows that sustainability plays a role in how we work together.

• An environmentally friendly system combining digital tickets, public transport options, and travel information can encourage attendees to make climate-friendly choices.

• Discussions on sustainability standards between the team and guest artists are conducive to raising awareness. The results of the discussions can be embedded in contracts by the sustainability officers of a venue or festival, creating lasting commitments.

• By means of dialogue and peer-to-peer advice at events, knowledge can be passed on to various audiences in an uncomplicated and practical manner.

Knowledge transfer

• Workshops and seminars are valuable for team members, allowing them to deepen their knowledge and get motivated to produce more sustainably. It is helpful if the whole team takes part and the training courses take place on a regular basis.

• Sharing knowledge within the team promotes joint learning. This ultimately makes implementing sustainability measures easier.

• Communicating sustainability goals and measures to the public, sponsors and cooperation partners helps make the commitment visible. The venue thus creates awareness of sustainability issues and serves as a role model.

• Dealing with sustainability issues in artistic work brings fresh insights and can stimulate social discourse.

• Discussion events, lectures or information formats raise the public’s awareness of sustainability and encourage reflection.

• Information on climate-friendly travel options, for example on tickets or flyers, as well as a “green travel plan” support audiences and artists in choosing sustainable transport options.

• Less merchandise, no (promotional) gifts: this way, fewer resources are consumed. Some event organisers want to do merchandising and improve their environmental balance sheet. It is helpful for them to pay attention to sustainability standards. These include fair production, recycled materials, durability and environmentally friendly packaging.

Ordering

• Fewer online orders lead to fewer emissions that would otherwise be generated during the transport of goods. A guideline such as “Do not buy from large online retailers like Amazon” supports local economies.

• Demand-orientated order planning is helpful in the attempt to conserve resources and avoid waste. It also helps avoid returns.

• Comparing offers from regional and environmentally friendly suppliers is helpful in reducing CO2 emissions and supports the local economy.

• Less (plastic) packaging leads to less waste and promotes the sustainable use of resources.

Office supplies

• Alternatives to printed advertising materials exist. These include digital formats or reusable materials. These reduce paper consumption, which is in turn compatible with a more sustainable way of working.

• The customised planning of print jobs means that print shops only produce the required quantity of advertising materials. This means there is no waste.

• Double-sided black and white printing from refill cartridges conserves resources: both paper and ink consumption are lower.

• The use of recycled paper for notes, printed materials and folders reduces the environmental impact and promotes the circular economy.

• Working with environmental printing services reduces the environmental footprint if the printers use sustainable printing processes. These include water-based inks or energy-efficient machines.

• The environmental footprint can also be reduced in the office: by using office supplies from climate-friendly suppliers – whether pens, glue or adhesive tape.

• Chemical-free cleaning agents and detergents are good for the environment and your health.

Digital technology

• Energy-efficient digital technologies – such as search engines, hardware and software, internet services, AI, video conferencing, web hosting and data transfer – reduce energy consumption. The environmental footprint of digital processes can be minimised by seeking out and choosing sustainable providers.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) consumes a lot of energy. Targeted, efficient use with clear added value conserves resources.

• Digital meetings eliminate travel, thus reducing CO2 emissions.

• Outdated or no longer required data may be deleted from servers on a regular basis. This avoids data waste and ensures that storage space is utilised more efficiently.

• Lean digital communication encompasses emails that are limited to the essentials. A call or exchange via a messaging service is often even more sustainable.

Technical equipment

• Resources can be conserved in new productions by buying or borrowing used or refurbished technical equipment.

• Certain items of technical equipment may be repaired, passed on or repurposed and do not have to be disposed of. This helps reduce electronic waste and promotes the circular economy.

• New purchases online can often be avoided: Public supply chains or local shops also provide needed materials. Buying from them helps reduce CO₂ emissions and supports local economies.

• Well-maintained technical equipment has a longer service life. Regular maintenance keeps investments in new items down.

• Technical equipment must be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner and in accordance with legal regulations. This protects the environment and promotes the proper recycling of materials.

• When purchasing new equipment, it is recommended that they are low-energy devices that can also be repaired, thereby extending their lifespan.

• Optimum utilisation of refrigerator capacity and operation on the lowest cooling level reduce electricity consumption, which in turn conserves energy.

• Theatre holidays, annual leave, after work: during these periods, equipment – including computers – is not in use and can be switched off. This reduces energy consumption and electricity costs.

• Refraining from using electrical appliances that are not absolutely necessary means that no energy is required. This in turn conserves resources.

• Multiple sockets with switches or a main switch ensure that equipment is disconnected from the power supply and is not in standby mode.

• Avoiding battery or rechargeable battery-operated devices that are not absolutely necessary – such as wireless mice or keyboards – reduces resource consumption.

Waste separation

• Paper, glass, plastics, metals, organic waste, textiles, wood, batteries, electronics: At some point, all of this becomes waste. If carefully separated, this increases the recycling rate and the efficiency of resource utilisation.

• Avoiding (plastic) waste reduces the amount of waste produced and less plastic ends up in the environment.

• Clearly labelling the waste bins helps ensure proper waste sorting and disposal. Pictograms are particularly good: As universally understandable signs, they enable waste to be correctly allocated to the bins.

• A clearly visible explanation of the waste separation system also makes it easier for people who are not familiar with it to dispose of waste correctly.

Outdoor areas

• Natural elements and plants adapted to the location protect the environment, promote biodiversity and conserve resources.

• Natural acoustics and lighting create a calm, pleasant atmosphere – with no noise pollution.

• Strengthen community spirit, create awareness of sustainable practices: Those pursuing such goals can involve audiences in designing outdoor spaces – for example, by creating raised beds or maintaining insect hotels during special event days or in designated areas.

Insel e. V.: INSEL Kulturgarten Paradies / Juni 2025 und Dokumentation #Weben für Morgen

Uckermärkische Bühnen Schwedt: Klima und Theater

Oldenburgisches Staatstheater: Theater & Klima

Velomax Berlin Hallenbetriebs GmbH: Die Grüne Hauptstadtarena – Öko-System auf dem Dach der Max-Schmeling-Halle

NK Tegelwippen 2025: Beim „NK Tegelwippen“ werden möglichst viele Pflastersteine entfernt und durch Grünflächen zu ersetzt.

Klimawissen e. V.: Aus Grau mach Grün – Beim “Tegelwippen” wandeln Niederländer:innen jedes Jahr viele gepflasterte Flächen in Blumenbeete und Stadtgrün um.

Freundeskreis Ökodorf e. V.: Ein Gründach bauen – Praxisseminar

Sanitary facilities

• The use of vegan organic soap in refillable bottles reduces the consumption of disposable packaging and protects the environment.

• The use of recycled toilet paper and towels conserves resources and reduces waste.

• Water-saving measures such as the water-saving flush button on toilets and taps that are firmly turned off reduce water consumption. Guest artists can be encouraged to use less water through a notice in the toilets at event venues.

• Using cold water conserves valuable resources. There is no need to consume energy to heat water.

• In many cases, water can be conserved by means of inserts in the tap or shower head, for example a ring that restricts the flow of water.

• Composting toilets offer a resource-saving alternative to conventional sanitary systems – especially for open-air events or temporary venues. They reduce water consumption and allow nutrients to be recycled.

Beverages

• Packaging waste and the consumption of resources can be significantly reduced by using reusable bottles.

• Tap water – ideally from water dispensers – is an environmentally friendly alternative to water from plastic bottles. This is another way to reduce plastic waste.

• Drinks from reusable bottles help reduce waste. Serving drinks in this form raises guests’ awareness of sustainable behaviour.

• Guests can leave their drinking vessels at collection points for cups and glasses. The crockery can be washed and reused.

• Buying Fairtrade coffee and cocoa from organic farming supports fair working conditions and sustainable agriculture.

• Ice cubes can be made in reusable containers to avoid waste from plastic bags.

• Straws made of glass, stainless steel or even pasta are a (long-lasting) alternative to plastic straws.

Food

• Offering a range of vegan and vegetarian food significantly reduces the environmental footprint.

• The use of meat and dairy products from animals raised under species-appropriate conditions minimises animal suffering and reduces the environmental impact.

• Buying Fairtrade sugar from organic farming contributes to fair working conditions and the protection of nature.

• Butter and palm oil have a poor carbon footprint. Avoiding such products protects the climate.

• Buying seasonal and local products in line with demand shortens transport routes. In addition, less food is wasted.

• Cooking as a team is one way to produce less food waste. At the same time, the sense of community is strengthened.

• Leftover food can be donated. In this way, resources are used sensibly and people in need are supported.

Waste

• Waste can be avoided and resources conserved by means of a labelled reusable system.

• Sustainable alternatives to aluminium and plastic exist. They reduce packaging waste and environmental impact.

• Avoiding capsule and pod coffee machines means no waste is produced and a more environmentally friendly coffee culture is promoted.

• Compostable packaging leads to significantly less plastic waste overall.

• If materials are reused as often as possible and then recycled, this reduces the consumption of raw materials and protects the environment.

Electrical devices

• Buying used or refurbished electrical appliances conserves resources and avoids electronic waste.

• The right choice of hob in relation to pot size significantly reduces energy consumption when cooking.

• Switching from old cast iron hobs – including mobile hobs – to modern induction or glass ceramic hobs conserves energy and conserves resources.

• Energy can be saved by making optimum use of the refrigerator volume and operating it at the lowest necessary cooling level.

• Switching off unused electrical appliances during theatre holidays, annual leave, for example, as well as at the end of the working day, avoids unnecessary power consumption and reduces energy costs.

• Energy consumption can be optimised by checking the number and utilisation of refrigerators on a regular basis. If some fridges are used efficiently or shared, other fridges can be dispensed with.

Personal mobility

• Individual stakeholders and members of collectives can use public transport or bicycles to travel to rehearsals and performances. This directly reduces CO₂ emissions in the cultural sector.

• By asking venues or festivals about environmentally friendly transport options or bicycles for their journeys, individual artists and collectives can also raise awareness among the teams at venues or festivals.

• A folding bike makes it easy to cover longer distances between public transport stops.

Employee mobility

• Flexible home office arrangements reduce commute times, saving time and reducing emissions.

• Scheduling meetings outside rush hour ensures a stress-free journey and reduces traffic at peak times.

• Employees with a company subscription for public transport benefit from sustainable mobility: it is more cost-effective.

• When venues and festivals encourage their teams to use public transport or bicycles, this significantly reduces CO₂ emissions from commuting.

• Information on providers of bikes for hire and initiatives to promote bicycle mobility make it easier to decide in favour of an environmentally friendly mobility option.

• Employees can quickly repair minor bicycle breakdowns themselves if they have a kit with repair items for bicycles “on board” or if these are offered at the workplace. This keeps them mobile in the long term.

• An e-bike charging station, covered bicycle parking spaces or bicycle stands make the switch to bicycles even more attractive and convenient.

• Company bicycles for meetings outside the office are a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to the car.

• Showers and changing rooms at the workplace establish the conditions for a fresh start to the working day after commuting by bike.

• Sustainability workshops can be held to raise awareness of low-carbon mobility among employees. Sustainable alternatives can be demonstrated here.

• Offering appropriately priced car parking spaces can encourage the switch to sustainable modes of transport.

Audience mobility

• A mention of bicycle stands, for example on tickets, makes it easier for visitors to opt for an environmentally friendly journey.

• Communicating the best cycle routes makes travelling by bike safer and more convenient.

• Directions and information on long-distance transport connections help visitors plan their journey. This makes travelling to the event environmentally friendly and stress-free.

• Encouraging climate-friendly options increases the likelihood that visitors will use sustainable modes of transport. It can be easily included in event advertising.

• Asking visitors which mode of transport they are using raises their awareness of sustainable mobility.

• Incentives such as reduced entry fees or drinks vouchers as a “reward” for travelling by public transport make climate-friendly travel more attractive.

• Event tickets may also be used as public transport tickets in cooperation with transport service providers.

• Ideally, the venue or festival will support visitors in organising carpools or a shared journey. Carpooling reduces CO₂ emissions, as well as promoting interaction between visitors.

• A limited number of parking spaces makes the use of sustainable transport more attractive.

• Visitors can be informed via the apps of the local transport associations so that they can conveniently plan their journey by public transport.

• Offering shuttle services and carpooling makes it easier to opt for a more sustainable and flexible journey.

• Adapting event times to the timetables of local transport networks is particularly worthwhile in rural regions as it makes it easier for visitors to get to and from the event by public transport.

Guest mobility

• For journeys lasting up to ten hours, taking the train significantly reduces CO₂ emissions.

• Especially within Germany and for journeys shorter than 600 km, avoiding flights makes a significant contribution to climate-friendly travel.

• If air travel is unavoidable, direct flights can reduce emissions and optimise travel times.

• Travelling can be avoided and emissions reduced by means of digital meetings and discussions.

• The organiser can make it easier for guests to get around in an environmentally friendly way with rental bikes or cooperation with local bike hire companies.

• If travel by taxi is the only option, for example due to accessibility issues, using an e-taxi is more environmentally friendly.

• Anyone who wishes to avoid travelling for one-off performances can combine the event with workshops or other residencies.

• Limiting car travel to what is strictly necessary reduces emissions and conserves resources.

• Information on the best cycle route makes it easier for guests to cycle to the venue in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

• Detailed route descriptions and information on long-distance transport connections make getting there stress-free and sustainable.

• Organisers can select hotels based on whether they rent out bicycles. This also facilitates sustainable mobility.

• Information on apps from local transport associations helps guests to plan their journeys in an efficient and climate-friendly manner.

• Planning tools for guest trips and tours make it easier to arrange sustainable and resource-saving routes.

• Shorter journeys are created when several venues offer events concurrently when planning tours and guest performances. To achieve this, the venues need to be located in close proximity.

• Travelling can be avoided by pooling multiple meetings in one visit. Digital meetings are an alternative to on-site meetings.

• The incorporation of sustainability clauses or addendums into contracts
  with guests ensures commitment to environmental standards.

Accommodation

• With the consent of its guests, an event organiser may arrange for hosting by private individuals. This not only reduces travel costs and CO₂ emissions; it also requires fewer resources and less cleaning than hotels.

• Some accommodation may be reached on foot, by bike or by public transport. Where no cars are used, no CO₂ is emitted.

• Those who book EMAS-certified accommodation comply with high environmental standards and support sustainable travel.

Goods transportation

• Express shipping is often not necessary when ordering goods. Switching to regular shipping means lower CO₂ emissions.

• Express delivery is often associated with high CO₂ emissions.

• Purchasing or borrowing from local suppliers instead of ordering from distant sources avoids transport costs and conserves resources.

• Many returns can be avoided with careful planning. This also reduces emissions, simply because there is no need for transportation.

• The use of (e-)cargo bikes or transport bikes enables more environmentally friendly and efficient transport.

• Shipping by bicycle courier significantly reduces the CO₂ emissions caused by transport.

• Limiting transport by car to what is necessary is helpful in the endeavour to reduce emissions and conserve resources.

• Choosing haulage services with low-emission fleets improves the carbon footprint of transport.

• Using ground-based transport for shipments within Europe compared to air freight minimises the environmental impact of transport.

• Organising intercontinental tours as sea freight instead of air freight significantly reduces CO₂ emissions.

• Scenographers and technicians might consider replicating stage sets on site. The emissions associated with transporting stage sets can be eliminated by using replicas.

• Logistics companies with fuel-efficient vehicles enable sustainable and efficient transport.

Energy management

• Drawing up a climate balance sheet for a building offers venues a valuable opportunity to work with a construction company to develop measures for reducing CO₂ emissions and energy consumption.

• 
  Easy wins enable rapid progress, while also initiating a process towards more sustainable production.

• 
  Materiality analyses provide information on the relevant environmental impacts of a company. Following such an analysis, the sustainability team can work on making the company more sustainable step by step.

• 
  Sustainability certifications such as ISO 14001, EMAS or the German Sustainability Code offer a way to implement recognized environmental standards and ensure the long-term use of sustainable energy.

• 
  Based on a building energy consultation, venues can develop an energy-efficient refurbishment strategy to save costs and protect the environment in the long term.

• 
  Joint use of space may be enabled through cooperation with neighbours and local groups. By working together, the parties involved can develop sustainable solutions that benefit everyone.

• Through investment planning, venues can advance the sustainable development of an organisation in an effective and targeted manner.

Energy supply

• Creating a climate balance sheet for a building is helpful for the development of measures through which venues can reduce their CO₂ emissions and energy consumption.

• Energy consumption can be checked and recorded on a regular basis. This enables sustainability officers to recognise inefficient patterns and implement improvement measures. Electricity meters in different building units can be used to identify areas of activity.

• Photovoltaic systems, geothermal energy or heat pumps are sources of green or renewable energy. Their use reduces CO₂ emissions in a sustainable manner. This makes energy provision more environmentally friendly.

• By means of self-generated solar power, venues have the opportunity to a) become less dependent on fossil fuels, b) contribute to the decentralisation of the power grid and c) improve their own energy balance sheet.

• Those who check whether the public power grid can provide renewable energy on a temporary basis will find it easier to source sustainable electricity and switch to renewable energy.

• Rainwater and grey water may be collected and used for toilets and irrigation. This conserves valuable water resources.

• Discussions with landlords on the use of green electricity can be an important step towards a more sustainable energy supply.

• Certified green electricity provides a reliable and environmentally friendly power supply. It can be identified, for example, by labels such as “ok-power” or other green energy certifications.

Light source

• Energy consumption can be significantly reduced by switching lights off in empty rooms. However, the requirements for escape and rescue routes must be complied with.

• LED lamps reduce power consumption and have a longer service life than conventional light sources.

• Warm white, dimmed and timed outdoor lighting protects the environment and promotes biodiversity.

• Energy consumption can be regulated automatically and efficiently using motion detectors and timers.

• Outdoor lighting that is not required can be switched off.

• Outdoor advertising that is illuminated but not needed during a certain period can be switched off. This reduces not only electricity consumption, but also light pollution.

• The use of energy-efficient lighting with warm colour temperatures (2400 to 3000K) helps save energy.

Modernisation

• If a venue is to be refurbished or converted, an energy consultation helps to develop an energy-efficient refurbishment strategy for the building.
  
  A refurbishment strategy includes financial planning and drawing up a schedule. It is the basis for ensuring that measures are implemented within the planned time frame.
  
  When implementing the refurbishment strategy, experts ensure compliance with standards.
  
  The early planning and authorisation of the installation of solar panels or other structural changes ensures a sustainable and future-proof energy supply.
  
  New building materials offer environmentally friendly solutions for construction, such as generatively manufactured sound-absorbing panels made from mushrooms and plant fibres.
  
  Building technology requires regular inspection. This involves identifying inefficiencies and making adjustments where necessary. The aim is to optimise energy consumption.

Biodiversity

• Landscapes, terraces, façades and green roofs are green corridors. They connect buildings with green spaces and promote local biodiversity.

• Green roofs promote the well-being of employees and local biodiversity.

• Green spaces with native plants in outdoor areas strengthen local biodiversity and promote the ecological balance.

City of Leipzig: Honig von den Leipziger Opern-Bienen

Temperature control

• Avoiding energy-intensive appliances such as electric heaters lowers energy consumption and reduces CO₂ emissions.

• Carpets can be used to minimise energy consumption for heating: They keep the heat in the room.

• Draught excluders reduce heat loss and thus lower heating costs.

• Sealed doors and windows with curtains or draught excluders reduce the consumption of heating energy and keep the room temperature stable.

• If radiators are free-standing, the heat can circulate in the room. This in turn reduces the amount of heating required.

• The room temperature for office, test or storage rooms can be checked on a regular basis, for example by sustainability officers, to determine the maximum or minimum level required. The energy consumption can then be adjusted to requirements.

Ventilation

• Venues can significantly reduce their energy consumption if they ensure that ventilation systems and air conditioning units are only switched on when someone needs improved or cooler air.

• Operating ventilation systems on a timer means the energy consumption of venues can be optimised and unnecessary operation avoided.

• Thoroughly ventilating rooms intermittently is better than leaving windows ajar for long periods: this reduces energy consumption and ensures efficient ventilation without heat loss.