Watermans – Better Futures

A West London arts centre with a mission to bring communities together through cultural practise and enrich lives through the arts and creativity. They present a thriving year-round programme of cinema, fringe theatre, exhibitions and workshops. An independent charity with a wide outreach programme across Hounslow and beyond, reaching tens of thousands of people who would otherwise enjoy little or no arts provision.

Their Pledge:

To reduce 50% of their baseline carbon emissions by 2025 and reach net zero by 2030.

The Arts Council

Between 2018 to 2019, 747 creative organisations generated a total of 83,153 tonnes of CO2e at 1150 different sites. They used 7.2 billion litres of water – which could have produced 2.7 million T-shirts – or 379 million Kilowatts of energy – enough electricity to power 122,000 UK homes.

“Together, we can not only be an exemplar in managing our carbon footprints and environmental impacts,
but we can hold space, give agency, educate, and engage.”

Andrew Ellerby, Senior Manager, Environmental Responsibility, The Arts Council

Watermans’ Net Zero Journey

Sustaineers was the chosen consultant to support Watermans’ net zero journey.

Watermans is currently a tenant in a 1980s building, but they have plans to move site in 2-5 years’ time. Sustaineers has included this plan in Watermans’ strategy to reach net zero.

Their Net Zero strategy includes six key areas:

Supplier Chain

Watermans’ supply chain is diverse – from catering and cleaning to IT and waste disposal.

The recommendation is that Watermans reviews their extensive supply chain to reduce Scope 3 emissions. In the first instance, this could be achieved by requesting information on their environmental impact including a measurement and reduction of carbon.

Additionally, Watermans has already reduced the printing volume of tickets and programmes and will continue to engage with green printing companies to offset the carbon impact of the paper used.

Waste Management

There are no measurements about how much waste is being recycled currently.
Watermans’ net zero strategy includes conducting a waste audit to measure how much waste can be recycled, and to add 5 additional recycling bins for cardboard and paper.

Staff will be given guidance on recycling with posters that promote higher recycling levels.

Energy

The building owner is responsible for the energy provider and the energy tariff is not currently 100% renewable. Watermans – along with Sustaineers, West London Business and Beond Energy Group – will make a case to the owners to try to influence a switch to sustainable providers. Watch this space!

Premises

Watermans has the chance to influence the design and specification of their new facilities to ensure that they are built to the highest environmental standards. This will likely involve: good insulation, alternative heat generation (such as ground or air source heat pumps), thermostats, energy-saving LED lighting and potentially solar roof panels.

They will engage with the architects and developers as early as possible to maximise energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Transport

Transport to and from the venue is a significant contributor to the carbon footprint. Encouraging attendees to leave their cars at home and use less carbon-intensive travel will be a key way to make a difference and reduce emissions.

Watermans will set challenges for staff including changing their method of commute for a week or challenging them to use renewable energy at home.

Additionally, Watermans is evaluating the feasibility of installing an EV charger on the premises.

Advocating

Watermans has already used its platform in the past to raise awareness of air pollution issues, particularly in relation to nearby Heathrow Airport. It would be a natural extension of this to promote greater awareness of
individuals’ carbon footprints, the climate emergency and steps that can be taken towards Net Zero.

They will explore opportunities to allow attendees to offset emissions in their ticket price as a voluntary add-on and are considering hosting climate related art installations to highlight and influence industry waste best practice.