The Glasshouse

Music shouldn’t be the only thing that lives and grows. We know the climate crisis is a threat to our audiences, artists, region, and planet. So that’s why environmental responsibility is at the heart of our plans.

We’ve made an ambitious pledge to be net-zero by 2030. This is 20 years ahead of the UK government’s net-zero target.

Becoming ‘net-zero’ means that we’ll reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, and then invest in local nature-based solutions to balance any remaining impact.

Our journey will involve working with artists and audiences, as well as making changes to our building. We’ll use our creative programme, including projects we commission, to draw attention to environmental issues.

Our pledge covers our direct carbon emissions. We’ll also work to better understand the impact of our indirect emissions. These are things we do not directly control but can influence.

What have we done so far?

We have measured and reported on our carbon emissions since 2012. Since then, we’ve taken the following steps:

• Upgrading our building – We’re working to make our building as energy efficient as possible. We’re installing LED lights, replacing old equipment, and upgrading our Building Management System.
• Free Metro travel – We offer audiences free travel on the Metro (Tyne and Wear’s light transport rail system) with a The Glasshouse ticket.
• Reducing meat consumption – 50% of all menus in our Brasserie and Café are plant-based.
• Gateshead District Energy Scheme – We’re part of the award-winning Gateshead District Energy Scheme. The Energy Scheme will also be net-zero by 2030 by utilising solar power and an innovative mine-water heat-pump.
• Climate-themed work features on our stages –Presenting work that responds to the climate crisis is part of our socially aware programming. An example is Variations – a digital festival of video responses to the climate crisis including work by John Grant and Yoko Ono.
• Playing a positive role in our sector – We’ve been part of Julie’s Bicycle’s Spotlight Programming in the cultural sector, and hold a seat on the European Concert Halls Organisation Sustainability Group steering committee. We have pledged our support for Music Declares Emergency.
• Green Riders for artists – we now share a Green Rider with all incoming artists. This document outlines our sustainable practices and encourages collaboration on reducing our collective carbon footprint.