We reduced our energy demand and used renewable sources wherever possible.

• Our offices ran on 100% renewable electricity through Ecotricity, with no gas heating.
• Loading Bay was refitted to eliminate gas use, producing zero Scope 1 emissions.
• We invested in three Instagrid 2.1kWh batteries to power events, reducing reliance on petrol and diesel generators.
• No event used regular diesel generators. Instead, we used Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – a cleaner alternative.
• We purchased a 150kWh battery to power The Beacon.

We made it easier for people to choose sustainable transport – whether they were performers, crew, or audiences.

• Bradford 2025 sponsor First Bus provided support to enable UK City of Culture volunteers to travel to venues and events to assist visitors.
• Carbon emissions generated from flights taken were offset through the restoration of peatland with the Yorkshire Peat Partnership – a local biodiversity project.
• We utilised the You.Smart.Thing sustainable travel tool, allowing visitors to plan journeys with public transport and low-carbon options.
• Prioritised venues with strong public transport links and ensured events finished in time for people to travel by bus or train.

We designed out waste and championed reuse across all aspects of production.

• Our offices were fitted out with second-hand furniture and repurposed materials – including from Coventry 2021 City of Culture.
• We partnered with SAIL on the Resource Hub – a platform based in Shipley to store, share and reuse materials.
• Worked with vendors to limit single-use plastic and ensure food packaging is reusable or compostable.

We keept our supply chain as local, ethical, and low-carbon as possible.

• Majority of suppliers based in the region, reducing transport emissions.
• Carbon Accounting training for suppliers in partnership with RTC North, creating a legacy of more sustainable businesses beyond 2025.
• Food vendors required to complete sustainability checklists, covering sourcing, welfare, and waste reduction.
• We considered the environmental and social impact of our procurement decisions, prioritising ethical, sustainable and socially responsible suppliers.

Sustainability is a team effort. We equipped staff, volunteers, and cultural partners with the knowledge to make a difference.

• SAIL appointed as Sustainability Partner, providing expertise and resources.
• Carbon literacy training for all Bradford 2025 staff.
• Sustainability training for volunteers, developed by SAIL.
• Drop-in sustainability sessions for GiveBradford Creative Communities Fund recipients.

Sustainability isn’t just about the planet – it’s about people, equity, and inclusion. We ensured diverse voices were heard and that our events were accessible and affordable.

• New Focus Young Creatives – supporting emerging talent.
• Creative Health initiatives – exploring the role of art in wellbeing.
• Activity in all 30 wards – ensuring every neighbourhood can engage with Bradford 2025.

We brought environmental issues to life through art, events, and experiences.

Bradford 2025 projects with a sustainability focus include:

• The Beacon
• Bradford on Foot
• Bradford Selection Box
• Memories of the Future
• PLAY
• Jungle Book Reimagined by Akram Khan Company – exploring climate change through Mowgli’s journey
• Wild Uplands – an outdoor gallery set on the moors above Haworth, reconnecting visitors with nature

We used green spaces responsibly and supported conservation efforts.

• Biodiversity impact assessments integrated into programme planning.
• Used green spaces as event venues (e.g. Lister Park) while ensuring environmental protection.
• Funding local peatland restoration projects, working with Yorkshire Peat Partnership.

We tracked, evaluated, and shared our impact transparently.

• To our knowledge, we are the first UK City of Culture to track our Carbon Footprint using the greenhouse gas protocol corporate standard – we tracked our carbon impact across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 in the most robust way possible.
• Developed a greenhouse gas protocol-aligned reporting methodology.
• Carbon calculator integrated into event production, providing live carbon footprint data.

We’re not just making 2025 sustainable – we’re setting the foundations for a greener future in Bradford’s cultural sector.

• Development of toolkits and guides for cultural organisations, starting with a sustainability checklist for partners.
• Partnering with University of Leeds & University of Bradford to establish an open data repository for emissions tracking.
• Supporting student research on sustainability in culture, including The Beacon touring venue.