The Lyric Hammersmith has been awarded a 5 Star Creative Green certification from arts and environment agency Julie’s Bicycle for 2017/18. The Lyric is only the second arts organisation, and the first theatre, to announce a 5 star rating. The Lyric has also achieved the highest score ever awarded under the certification scheme and this includes maximum scores for its environmental commitment and understanding.
The Lyric has been at the forefront of UK theatres becoming more sustainable, tracking and reducing its carbon emissions successively for 9 years. In 2011/12 it became the first theatre to achieve the previous highest rating of 3 stars from Julie’s Bicycle, and also the first to maintain this rating for four consecutive years prior to the scheme’s revision.
In the year to March 2018 the Lyric decreased its energy use by a further 7% and its energy emissions by a further 15%. Water use saw a 17% reduction per visitor. The Lyric is also a zero waste-to-landfill theatre working with First Mile and Scenery Salvage. Overall the Lyric has reduced its energy use and emissions by more than 50% since reopening in 2015.
The Lyric has just completed the refurbishment of its main house and studio theatres, which includes the installation of a low energy lighting grid and fixtures in the Studio.
Highlights from the Lyric’s green strategy over the past year include the following:
In 2017 the Lyric switched to Ecotricity and now procure 100% renewable electricity and green gas.
The Lyric won Best Campaign at the 2018 Creative Green Awards for their #PlasticFreeLyric campaign which tackled single-use plastics.
The Lyric’s current capital project to refurbish the Main House and Studio includes a focus on new low energy lighting, the reuse of materials and zero waste to landfill.
The Lyric are linking their work on sustainability to their creative programming, including in the Little Lyric programme, LYRICFEST, and through hosting events and workshops such as ‘The Research Behind Blue Planet II’ in partnership with the University of Exeter.
In April 2018 Lyric Hammersmith took part in a roundtable for the Greater London
Authority on single-use plastics to help recognise the cultural sector’s voice in London’s Environmental Strategy.
The Lyric undertook an energy audit and created a new energy management group internally to continue to drive down energy use.
The Lyric continues to issue reusable water bottles to all new staff and company members
In July 18 the Lyric installed 3 beehives on its roof, in partnership with the local Business Improvement District, Hammersmith Bid, and is now home to 180,000 Buckfast Bees.
Sian Alexander, Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith said “The Lyric puts sustainability at the heart of how we work and how we see our civic responsibilities as a leading cultural organisation rooted in our community. I am thrilled that after many years of bringing to bear our commitment, creativity and hard work we have now achieved 5 sparkling stars. It’s a testament to the skill and enthusiasm of the whole Lyric team and all our partners.”
Alison Tickell, Chief Executive of Julie’s Bicycle said “The Lyric Hammersmith have shown outstanding sustainability leadership again, from tackling the scourge of single use plastic to ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions linked directly to the Paris Climate Agreement and celebrating it all across the Lyric Hammersmith. They deserve every star.”
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