S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y S TAT E M E N T
SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT Music has the power to connect people and
for reducing emissions and ensuring transparent
inspire change – and at the Scottish Chamber
reporting to the City of Edinburgh Council, who we
Orchestra, we believe that includes caring for the
are proud to align with their ambition for a net-zero
world we share. As one of Scotland’s five national
future.
performing companies, touring is at the heart of what we do, whether bringing our Orchestra to diverse audiences across Scotland, performing internationally, or engaging communities through our Learning & Participation programme. We recognise our responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of our touring and office operations, and we are committed to embedding sustainable practices into every aspect of our work.
As a creative organisation rooted in Scotland, we believe the cultural sector has a unique role to play in inspiring and enabling meaningful climate action. We are pleased to announce our official commitment to the Scottish Green Arts Charter, aligning our future sustainability targets with a wider national movement for environmental change. The Green Arts Charter is a set of four core pledges and actionable, shared goals
We aim not only to lead by example but to inspire
developed specifically for members of the Green
our staff, partners and audiences to join us in
Arts Initiative network.
making choices that protect our planet.
By building the Charter’s core pledges into how
Our sustainability journey began in 2017 with a
we work, we’re committing to reducing our carbon
clear goal: to reduce the carbon footprint of our
impact, sharing knowledge and supporting
operations while maintaining the excellence and
climate justice within our community. This public
reach that define our work. Joining the cultural
step is an important part of our journey to lower our
sector’s Green Arts Initiative has been instrumental
footprint, adapt for the future and use our creative
in this mission, providing achievable annual targets
platform to support a net-zero Scotland. 2
GREEN ARTS CHARTER 4 PLEDGES: To reduce our emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change
To advocate for climate action and influence for change
We question the ways we work, the impact we have on
We recognise the power of the arts and culture to
our planet, and how our organisation sits within wider
influence and advocate for action on climate change.
society’s climate change mitigation and adaptation.
We embed this in our workplans and recognise our
As part of this, we endeavour to reduce our impact as
ability to influence and support climate action within
well as recognise that, as trusted messengers in our
the cultural community and outside the sector.
communities, we have a responsibility to shape and promote a net-zero future.
To inspire our communities and collaborate with others to deliver climate action
To embed climate justice in our organisation and any climate action we do The term climate justice expresses how climate change is a social and political issue as much as
We collaborate with other Green Arts Initiative
a technical or environmental one, and therefore
members to achieve collective climate action by
speaks to the importance of the cultural sector’s role
sharing resources, learning and tools amongst
in a climate-ready future. We pledge to view all our
the network. We understand the importance of
climate action through a justice lens, asking how
strengthening communities and collaborating to
what we do, who we work with and the way we work
deliver effective climate action, and that as cultural
impacts people locally and globally.
organisations we have a unique power to support this. We endeavour to work with our local communities, cultural community and those outside the cultural sector to deliver climate action and resilience.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO A GREENER FUTURE Every action matters. Sustainability is embedded throughout our organisation, guiding the way we work, tour, collaborate and engage with communities:
Resource Efficiency •
Going digital wherever possible to cut
Waste Reduction •
down on paper waste. •
Powering smarter: using energy-
•
efficient equipment and lighting, and switching off when not in use. • •
• •
Hosting our website on 100%
•
Understanding travel patterns and identifying opportunities to encourage
•
Incorporating sustainability
carbon literacy training. •
•
continuous improvement planning with
management operations.
our Sustainability Team.
Exploring a zero-waste environment
Choosing venues and suppliers who Making environmental responsibility a key part of our procurement decisions.
•
Encouraging ideas, feedback and
Zero plastics to general waste from •
Engaging and collaborating with other cultural organisations.
Monitoring and reporting our operational and touring emissions each year to track progress and drive improvement.
•
Targeting an emission reduction annually and taking action to reduce
share our commitment to sustainability.
more sustainable travel choices among audiences, musicians and staff.
Saying goodbye to single-use plastics
Responsible Partnerships •
Equipping our team with practical sustainability guidance, and providing
for our management offices.
renewable energy servers.
Sustainable Travel
•
materials in the office and at concerts. and championing reusable alternatives.
Powering our management offices with renewable energy wherever possible.
Recycling, reusing and repurposing
Awareness & Action
our carbon footprint. •
Please see page 5 for an infographic of our sustainability initiatives and achievements to date.
considerations into overseas tour travel planning and logistics where operationally feasible. 4
SCO’S JOURNEY TOWARDS NET ZERO 2017 - 2020
2020 - 2023
2023 - 2026
Achieving Initial Goals
More Travel Initiatives
Carbon Reduction Goals
SCO Environmental Policy
Measuring & reporting on Orchestra travel
Office recycling launched
Principal Conductors booked for multi-week residences
Negligible carbon emmisions on waste materials and landfill
Energy & Water monitoring
Coach and rail travel advocacy
Switched to recycled office paper supplies
SCO Strategic plan 2023 - 2028 includes: working sustainably 1st electric company vehicle
Orchestra USA tour all internal travel by coach
Switched to renewable energy tarriffs
Specialised travel planners
Issued Sustainability Statement Reduce single plastic use at concerts
2020 2017
2026
2023 Travel Initiatives
Green Building Works
Marketing Initiatives
Introduced coach travel for Orchestra
Eco friendly boilers
Digital Season Online
Domestic flight restriction introduced for staff
Window draft proofing
Digital concert programmes
Orchestra Travel Survey
LED lighting installed
Digital concert tickets
Cycle to Work Scheme
Audience Travel Survey
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WHO WE ARE At the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, we believe everyone should have equal access to exceptional musical experiences. Now more than ever, we believe that access to world-class music is not a luxury but makes a vitally important difference to people’s lives. It is our view that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in, create and enjoy music and musicmaking, helping individuals and communities everywhere to thrive. One of Scotland’s national performing companies, the SCO is a world-class chamber orchestra, playing a major role in the cultural life of this country for fifty years. With an international reputation for exceptional, idiomatic performances that include mainstream classical music to newly commissioned works and crossart form collaborations, each year our wide-ranging programme of work takes us the length and breadth of Scotland, overseas and increasingly online. Equally at home on and off the concert stage, each one of the SCO’s highly talented and creative musicians, staff and Board members is passionate about transforming and enhancing lives through the power of remarkable music-making. Maxim with Orchestra, The Hub Edinburgh, May 2026 © Christopher Bowen
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4 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB +44 (0)131 557 6800 | info@sco.org.uk | sco.org.uk
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is a charity registered in Scotland No. SC015039. Company registration No. SC075079.
Core Funder
Benefactor
Local Authority
Creative Learning Partner