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.

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.

Good to know

Vestibules may pose barriers to accessibility.

Furthermore, heating should ideally be adjustable to accommodate individual needs and health-related requirements.

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.

Good practice examples

In addition to musical delicacies, Oper Leipzig also offers a culinary speciality: honey from its own bees.

City of Leipzig: Honig von den Leipziger Opern-Bienen

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.

Good to know

Venues should comply with fire safety regulations when refurbishing and remodelling. This also applies to the regulations on barrier-free access: Some entrances may need to be refurbished.

The refurbishment and conversion of listed buildings are subject to separate regulations. In the context of monument protection, specialists can advise on sustainable energy supply, for example.

Performance venues need a sufficient number of social rooms. Such rooms are used, for example, for breastfeeding, nappy changing or as a place of retreat.

Building materials based on fungi and plant fibres can trigger allergies. Therefore, venue operators must firstly check their use carefully in collaboration with experts.

Venue operators can consider adaptation to climate impacts even during the modernisation process. Climate impacts include periods of heat, heavy rain, flooding and storms.

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.

Good to know

When outdoor lighting is switched off, road safety must be guaranteed, even on narrow pavements that can be unsafe in the dark.

A lack of outdoor lighting can have a negative impact on accessibility.
Wheelchair users also need to be detectable by motion detectors installed at a low height. As soon as the light switches on, the path is accessible.

Good practice examples

“Move Your Energy – the green dance floor” is an interactive floor system that converts dance movement into electricity and thus raises awareness on sustainable energy in a playful manner.

Agentur RainbowEvent: Move for Energy – der “grüne” Dancefloor

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.

Good to know

Manufactured components – such as for solar panels – may have been produced in countries where social sustainability is neglected. Venues may ensure compliance with social standards during production when purchasing manufactured components.

Good practice examples

SOLiDACH was an initiative by Theater Rampe that combined neighbourhood and climate protection in a creative way and promoted solar installations in Stuttgart-Süd. In 2025 it became the Solarscouts. Solarscouts Stuttgart is a voluntary citizens’ network that supports neighbours on questions about photovoltaic systems and funding opportunities.

Die Rampe e. V.: SOLiDACH – Solarinitiative Stuttgart Süd

Solarscouts: Wir informieren die Nachbarschaft für die Energiewende

PATHOS Theatre in Munich has greened its roof to actively contribute to climate protection and use urban space in an environmentally friendly manner. Through this project, the theatre combines sustainability, art and community and makes environmental urban development tangible.

PATHOS: Nachhaltigkeit am PATHOS: Solaranlage + Dachbegrünung

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.

Good to know

In terms of sustainability, it makes sense to reduce the transport of materials as much as possible – without disproportionately restricting artistic freedom. All those involved in production are asked to carefully weigh up the feasibility from different perspectives.

Good practice examples

Binge Culture (NZ) and machina eX (GER) are developing a sustainable model for international collaboration without air travel. “Disaster” (2024 in Wellington) and “You and A.I.” (2025 in Düsseldorf) are created through mutual reinterpretations of existing plays. Two hybrid events make the model usable for other artists.

Goethe-Institut: Your Play is My Play and My Play is Your Play

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.

Good to know

Some guests require barrier-free access to the hotel.

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.

Good to know

Artists with disabilities or chronic illnesses require accessible paths for their journey. In this case, a direct travel connection may be preferable to a more sustainable one.

Optimal protection against attacks motivated by group-based hostility is needed when travelling. For example, travelling without changing trains offers protection. But the choice of venue is also helpful: in some places there is a lower risk of discrimination and harassment.

If guest performances are combined, there is a risk that artists will have fewer performances. It is recommended that careful consideration be given to “green touring” and diversity and international exchange in the artistic programme here.

In the interests of accessibility and inclusion, carbon accounting should not include CO₂ emissions from those accompanying people with disabilities.

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.

Good to know

Audience mobility largely depends on the event location: while public transport is a good alternative to the car in cities, often in rural areas, it is not.

The journey for visitors with disabilities must be accessible, for example by means of tactile guidance systems. When carrying out carbon accounting, it is recommended that the CO₂ emissions of those accompanying people with disabilities are not taken into account.

Ventilation

Temperature control

Good to know

Further reading

Biodiversity

Further reading

Good practice examples

Modernisation

Good to know

Further reading

Light source

Good to know

Further reading

Good practice examples

Energy supply

Good to know

Further reading

Good practice examples

Goods transportation

Good to know

Further reading

Good practice examples

Accommodation

Good to know

Further reading

Guest mobility

Good to know

Further reading

Audience mobility

Good to know