Sustainability
Foreword
In a world where resources are becoming ever scarcer and climate change is an increasingly significant challenge, it is vital that everyone does their bit to protect the environment and climate. The Ruhrtriennale is aware of this responsibility. As an international festival held in former industrial halls in the Ruhr area, it faces particular challenges, which we aim to tackle as best we can.
Culture and sustainability are two sides of the same coin: without sustainable thinking and action, culture is inconceivable in the long term. In this spirit, we see sustainability as a communal task. Good cooperation among everyone involved - artists, visitors, partners and patrons - is essential if we are to achieve our goals.
We invite you to read about our various sustainability projects and initiatives on this page and become part of our joint endeavours.
When implementing the sustainability projects, the following aspects form the basis of our actions:
Sustainability is a communal task
We make the best progress together. Good cooperation is key to achieving goals.
Sustainability is a work in progress
Sometimes there are no simple and quick solutions.
Sustainability is recognisable in different ways
While some measures can be seen at first glance, others are less visible in the background.
Our 6 points for more (ecological) sustainability
POINT 1: Artistic strategy
Artistic and ecological sustainability
We develop our productions in close cooperation with national and international cooperation partners in order to ensure the use of our programme beyond the festival period. We aim to present the festival production again as part of international festivals or included in the repertoire of our partner theatres after the premieres in the Ruhr area. This strategy makes it possible for festival artists to reach audiences worldwide.
Connecting international excellence with local impact
Some of our productions engage in dialogue with the communities of the region. They act as a space for dialogue between international and local talent. We develop tailor-made projects that involve local communities both in the auditorium and on the stage.
POINT 2: We measure
Our footprint
A carbon footprint is a helpful tool for understanding which areas of the festival generate emissions. Effective and targeted measures can be derived from this. In addition, the data collection makes it possible to continuously monitor and control the measures we have planned.
We draw up our carbon footprint in accordance with the nationwide standard for cultural institutions adopted in 2023, which is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The results of the last evaluation show that the festival’s emissions are mainly in the areas of mobility, ressources and energy. We therefore implement key measures in these areas.
POINT 3: We implement
Our measures
From very small to very big: our measures vary in terms of complexity, implementation time and impact.
POINT 4: We network
Our cooperations and partnerships
We see sustainability as a communal task. We therefore form alliances with partners and are active in networks. We learn from each other and have the chance to influence topics and processes that are not directly in our area of responsibility.
POINT 5: We take a stand
Our certification and mission statement
The systemic and strategic anchoring of sustainability in our organisation and in the festival is important to us. We have therefore anchored the topic in our mission statement.
Mission statement: in a two-year process, we as a team have taken a constructive look at our values, our attitudes, our identity and our environment. In so doing, we have identified sustainability as a core value and explicitly anchored it in our mission statement.
Certification: Kultur Ruhr GmbH – the organisation behind the Ruhrtriennale – is currently working towards ZNU certification. This makes it one of the first publicly funded cultural institutions in Germany to pursue this goal. In doing so, it is acting in line with its interest and remit to embed its numerous sustainability activities within an overarching framework. The ZNU standard has proven to be compatible with existing structures.
POINT 6: We work for and with you
Your contribution to the festival
Sustainability is a shared responsibility. As well as our staff, every visitor can play their part:
- Can you get to the event on foot, by bike, public transport or car sharing? The Kombi-Ticket, which is a combination of an admission ticket and a ticket for the Rhine-Ruhr transport network, offers the option of using public transport to get there.
- During the Ruhrtriennale, a mobile water dispenser provided by Stadtwerke Bochum will be located in the Pappelwald near the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum. It is available to all visitors throughout the day to refill their own water bottles.
- Put rubbish in the bins provided.
We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas on the subject of sustainability. We invite you to take part in our visitor survey after attending the event. In addition, you can reach out to us via email at nachhaltigkeit@kulturruhr.com