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Our Green Code

INTRODUCTION

This code expands on the commitments we have made in our environmental action plan. It gives freelancers, contractors, suppliers, co-producers and others that we engage with, details of the minimum standards that we are setting ourselves in order to deliver an environmentally conscious City of Culture programme.

Through consultation and engagement during 2021 and with partners across the City and region we will develop this into a Coventry and Warwickshire green code, adaptable and easily adoptable for a range of cultural institutions, both large and small, complementing existing policies, standards, and frameworks without putting too much strain on organisations.

MAIN OUTCOME

Cultural Programming will be environmentally responsible and promote environmental awareness.

1. PRINCIPLES

BE OPEN

  • We are open to new learning and critical friendships that will help us learn and improve.

  • We are transparent in our decisions and decision-making process.

BE BOLD

  • We will not accept ‘business as usual’ or ‘doing nothing’ as an option.

  • We will test new ground or the unfamiliar, in order to make decisions and have the conviction to see them through.

  • We will be proactive in our advocacy for a green and sustainable agenda and seek to influence others to follow suit.

  • We are prepared to hold ourselves and others to account.
Close up of ivy wrapped around a tree with sunshine in the background

Close up of ivy wrapped around a tree with sunshine in the background

London Road Cemetery - credit Heather Kincaid

Walled garden at Allesley Park with pink flowers in the foreground

Walled garden at Allesley Park with pink flowers in the foreground

Allesley Walled Garden - credit Visit Coventry

THINK HARD

  • We will always consider the impact of our decisions on our limited planetary resources, our communities and our future generations.

  • We will make decisions based on environmental and social as well as financial factors.

BE TRANSPARENT

  • We aim to leave environments better than when we arrived – leaving no trace and endeavouring to improve or regenerate.

  • We will celebrate and share our successes and acknowledge our failures, learning from both

2. Behaviours

These are a series of guidance points that we will adhere to across our programme delivery which will take account of, and make reasonable adjustments for, disability and our inclusive, can do attitude. These will be continually reviewed and added to.

TRAVEL

  • Unless in exceptional circumstances, we will not undertake internal flights on the UK mainland.

  • We advocate for the use of public transport and other active travel options (where safe and feasible) amongst staff, freelancers, participants and public. We will ensure adequate planning time and budget provisions will be considered.

  • We fully recognise and value the other benefits from active travel on users such as mental wellbeing, fitness, social trips which encourage others to attend etc.

PROCUREMENT

  • When making procurement decisions, ask yourself four questions:

  1. What is it made of?

  2. Where is it coming from?

  3. What is it doing?

  4. Where is it going? Could it be used again or repurposed for us or others?

  • Buy local where possible.

  • Avoid purchasing single-use plastics.

  • Only purchase timber-based products that are FSC approved.

  • Purchase recycled paper/plastic products where possible – this may require sourcing different suppliers, so plan ahead.

  • Prioritise sustainable purchasing options over others, but budget appropriately.

  • All catering/hospitality should be supplied using bio-degradable or compostable packaging (unless reusable is an option).
A giant sequoia tree in the London Road Cemetery

A giant sequoia tree in the London Road Cemetery

London Road Cemetery - credit Heather Kincaid

A photo of the War Memorial in the Coventry War Memorial Park, surrounded by trees

A photo of the War Memorial in the Coventry War Memorial Park, surrounded by trees

War Memorial Park - credit Graeme Peacock

EVENT DELIVERY

  • Use permanent power supplies where possible and prioritise sustainable sources of temporary energy supply when needed.

  • Plan efficiently to reduce energy and waste.

  • Avoid chemical toilets for events.

  • Utilise our Event Management System for every event.

  • Ensure recycling options at events and that we work with waste service providers that have a ‘zero waste to landfill’ policy.

  • Ensure that recycling options are available in all our rehearsal and production facilities.

DEBRIEF

  • Debrief every event and project with a specific item on adherence to our green code

  • Calculate carbon footprint of production transport which will be reported to our stakeholders.

TOOLKIT & RESOURCES

This will be added to and expanded to include the vast array of toolkits and resources that are already available as well as anything that is purpose built by COC.

What is FSC

Creative Green Resources