Aim

The policy outlines the National Opera Studio’s (NOS) commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, promote eco-friendly behaviours, to operate an environmentally responsible institution and sustain our building. The NOS aims to reduce its negative impact on the environment and to use resources with increasing efficiency over time. We encourage customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to do the same.

 

Our objectives, examples of what we are doing, what we intend to do and how we are working towards achieving them: 

To minimise the use of natural resources and our negative impact on the environment in our day to day activities:

What we currently do: 

• We have installed energy-efficient hand dryers in all of our bathrooms. 
• We switch our heating systems off or to a low setting whilst the building is closed.
• We have made it possible to open all of our windows so that we can reduce the use of our air conditioning.
• We monitor the amount of printed marketing materials that we order, to prevent over-ordering and to reduce work.
• We combine print orders to reduce the number of deliveries.
• We only use printers that have a current environmental policy and are committed to off-setting their carbon footprint.
• We have planted a number of trees to contribute to a greener planet.
• All of our coaches now send their invoices to us digitally. 

What we intend to do: 

• We are continuing to ask more of our suppliers to send their invoices to us digitally.
• We intend to create a garden in the area around the back of our building.
• We are working with Wandsworth Council to repave Chapel Yard and add planters for biodiversity as well as beautification.

To encourage more Young Artists, staff, coaches, audience members and clients to use low emmisson/ zero emmisson forms of transport to the Studio: 

What we currently do:

•  We are on the TFL oyster card scheme to encourage our Young Artists to take public transport over private vechicles.
• We encourage our Young Artists to apply for a student National Rail travelcard and travel by public transport, rather than private vehicles.
• We monitor and record Young Artists’ carbon emissions for travelling to/from regional residencies and off-set this either through donation or reduction in carbon usage at the Studio. We also encourage Young Artists to take public transport or to car-share when travelling to and from their residencies.
• We send out directions to the Studio which highlight public transport routes to our staff, coaches, Young Artists and auditionees.
• We have given our team the code to enter the area around the back of the building for them to leave their bicycles securely locked.
• We have bicycle cylinders to encourage anyone who comes to the building to cycle. 

Where possible, to use non-polluting and efficient forms of of energy: 

What we currently do:

• We changed our stage and working lights to LED lighting in the summer of 2018 and have since had them serviced annually to see where we can improve their sustainability.
• We have changed all of the internal and external lighting in the building, including emergency lighting, to LED and eco-friendly lighting, with sensors.
• Our electricity is generated by non-Carbon power sources, including nuclear and green energy production. 

To encourage Young Artists, staff, coaches, audience members and clients to actively promote recycling and operate a clear recycling system:

What we currently do:

• We have put a ‘scrap’ paper box next to the printer in the office for the team to add paper to, and to use.
• We have clear posters signalling our recycling bins throughout the building.
• We will continue to recycle paper, card, cans and plastics.
• We supply reusable cutlery and crockery for all to use. 

To work towards a more paperless office:

What we currently do:

•  We use YAPTracker, an online audition application system (rather than processing hard-copy application forms).
• We now use Microsoft Teams and Outlook as a primary way to send documents and contracts and use the ‘track changes’ functions to prevent using and sharing paper documents.
• All pay slips are sent digitally by default.
• We send music scores and schedules to Young Artists digitally instead of in hard copy.
• We encourage Young Artists to use digital scores where possible.
• All donation and gift aid forms available digitally.
• We have moved to a key-card printing system to limit and reduce the amount of music that Young Artists print. 

Responsibility

The National Opera Studio recognises its responsibility to operate in an ethically and environmentally responsible manner. All employees and board members have a responsibility to ensure that the aims and objectives of our policy are met. This policy will be communicated to all staff, board members, Young Artists, contractors and suppliers, will be available to the public and will be reviewed annually to monitor its relevance.

Updated October 2023.