Sustainability at Bradford 2025

We’re reducing our energy demand and using renewable sources wherever possible.

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

We’re making it easier for people to choose sustainable transport – whether they’re performers, crew, or audiences.

• Free bus travel for volunteers on RISE, in partnership with First Bus.
• We track any flights taken by staff, artists, and participants to measure and forecast carbon emissions, helping us make more sustainable travel choices. This includes booking economy class flights only, as business class produces three times more CO₂ per passenger.
• Invested in the You.Smart.Thing travel tool, allowing visitors to plan journeys with public transport and low-carbon options.
• Prioritising venues with strong public transport links and ensuring events finish in time for people to get home by bus or train.

We’re designing out waste and championing reuse across all aspects of production.

• Our offices are fitted out with second-hand furniture and repurposed materials – including from Coventry 2021 City of Culture.We have partnered with SAIL on the Resource Hub – a platform based in Shipley to store, share and reuse materials.
• Working with vendors to limit single-use plastic and ensure food packaging is reusable or compostable.
• BD25 merchandise sourced sustainably and designed for long-term use beyond 2025.

We’re keeping our supply chain as local, ethical, and low-carbon as possible.

• All suppliers assessed on sustainability credentials before approval.
• 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.

Sustainability is a team effort. We’re equipping 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 BD25 staff.
• Sustainability training for volunteers, developed by SAIL.
• Drop-in sustainability sessions for Creative Communities Grant recipients.

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

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

We’re bringing 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’re using green spaces responsibly and supporting conservation efforts.

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

We’re tracking, evaluating, and sharing 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, and are tracking 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.
• Open Innovations dashboard – offering public transparency on our sustainability efforts.

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

• Development of toolkits & 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.