The road to net zero
In case anyone needed reminding of the climate crisis, it’s been a summer of heat waves in the UK.
We are currently gearing up for our fourth of the year already.
And so it’s no surprise that many small businesses are doing what they can for the environment.
Of course, a ‘green’ reputation also goes down well with customers.
More than 4 out of 5 customers want to buy from brands that share their values.
So what can cinemas do to reduce their own carbon footprints?
Work out your footprint
It’s hard to make changes without first understanding where you stand at the moment. Only then can you identify the best areas for improvements and where you’re already making good progress.
The Creative Green Tools are a free set of environmental impact calculators developed specifically for the creative industry. Use them to tot up your impact and identify key areas to make meaningful change.
Make the environment a priority
Changes in any organisation start at the top. Leadership needs to communicate and demonstrate their commitment rather than just introduce new policies for employees.
Talk to your staff about your sustainability goals, ask for suggestions around improvements, and create a plan together.
It’s important to walk the walk, so if there are small changes you can make personally, like getting more sustainable transport to work instead of driving, or limiting energy use in your office, then you can lead from the front.
Invest in energy efficient fittings
Cinemas use a lot of power, from temperature control and popcorn heating to, of course, the giant screens. There may be ways to make immediate improvements, like swapping to more energy efficient lighting.
You might also find opportunities as equipment naturally comes to the end of its useful life. Make efficiency a key part of your purchasing process so that future decisions are driven by sustainable metrics.
Look into low-carbon
Heat pumps are a low carbon form of climate control. They can extract heat from external surroundings to warm buildings up, or do the reverse and cool them. They are electric and so have far lower emissions than gas or oil-powered heating.
Importantly, there are often government schemes to subsidise the cost of heat pumps for households and businesses. The boiler upgrade scheme in the UK, alongside tax relief and local council support can all make it easier to make changes in your cinema.
Support from climate groups
The government isn’t the only place you can go for support. Local networks, groups like the Climate Coalition, and even independent consultants may all be able to offer advice and links you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
There’s a reason the 3 pillars of sustainability and waste management are listed in that order. As far as you can, find ways first to reduce waste through activities like choosing suppliers with less packaging, buying in bulk, or encouraging customers to bring their own containers for drinks and snacks.
Next up, see if you can find ways to reuse items that might otherwise be thrown away. Could reusable cups replace single use plastics?
Where reduce and reuse aren’t options, recycling can be considered, but it shouldn’t be your default. There is still a real cost to recycling that limits its impact far more than the other steps.
Appoint a green team
Hopefully, by involving your employees in discussions from the beginning, you will find people who are passionate about implementing change in your business and willing to step up to make that happen.
Building a team of people who are responsible for overseeing and encouraging your green initiatives. It’s important not to demand too much of them; they should volunteer for the role but have time for it factored into their schedules. You could even add a custom green team shift into your regular work week.
And while you have a group of champions, it’s critical that you reiterate that everyone is responsible for working together towards your sustainability goals. As a team, you can create a real impact—good luck!