In order to become a leading low emissions project, Green Space Dark Skies came up with a set of guiding principles. To protect the beautiful green spaces we journeyed to, we left no trace of our time there. Green Space Dark Skies will also be carbon net positive*, ultimately removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces. We followed a zero waste policy and used as few resources as possible – those we did rely on will be from sustainable sources. The aim of the project was to inspire people with the beauty and wonder of the landscapes we visited. Our promise was that we’d measure and report on the impact we’ve had, both positive and negative.
* We are measuring and balancing 100% of our unavoidable Scope 1 and 2 emissions. We also acknowledge our Scope 3 emissions and the complexity associated with calculating these, and are working hard to rise to the challenge with our stakeholders.
From the work of our Head of Production and Sustainability Manager through to our Lumenators, artists and crew, we thought about how everyone involved could help to achieve our sustainability goals. This included carbon literacy training, a shared handbook, and focusing on sustainability at every production team meeting. We also thought about how to be sustainable in every part of the work we did – across marketing, production, travel and more. Last but not least, we used specially-developed tools to keep track of the impact we had, and found ways to counteract any unavoidable emissions.
Green Space Dark Skies was intrinsically rooted in nature, celebrating our landscapes and the life within them. Read our Sustainability Strategy here.
Visit our Sustainability Frequently Asked Questions here.
DID YOU KNOW…?
- Nearly half of the UK’s carbon footprint comes from emissions released overseas to satisfy UK-based consumption of imported products including clothing, processed foods and electronics
- Scotland has multiple options to confidently end its climate emissions by 2045
- Global temperatures are now at their highest since records began
- Solar power and onshore wind are the cheapest ways of generating electricity – the energy they produce is cheaper than using nuclear, gas and fossil fuels
- Food production is responsible for 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions
- In order to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C, global emissions need to fall by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030
- Oceans are vital ‘carbon sinks’, meaning that they absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide
- The UK has the biggest fossil fuel subsidies in the EU, spending €12bn (£10.5bn) a year supporting dirty fossil fuels
- Producing meat creates vastly more carbon dioxide than plants such as vegetables, grains and legumes
- The Government has committed to end the use of coal in the UK energy system by 2025
Edited from wwf.org.uk
What does carbon net positive mean?
To be carbon neutral means avoiding Scope 1 and 2 emissions wherever possible and balancing unavoidable emissions through schemes and projects that help to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, such as tree planting. To be carbon net positive means going beyond this: a carbon net positive project will invest in removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces. We are measuring and balancing 100% of our unavoidable Scope 1 and 2 emissions. We also acknowledge our Scope 3 emissions and the complexity associated with these, and are working hard to rise to the challenge with our stakeholders.
What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
Scope 1 emissions are those produced directly by Green Space Dark Skies, for example in the production workshop and head office, or from our own company vehicles. Scope 2 are indirect emissions associated with things like purchased electricity for our own use. Scope 3 are indirect emissions associated with the project such as embodied carbon in production materials, employee and supplier transport, and emissions from waste.
Why is it important to measure carbon emissions?
Carefully measuring carbon emissions will allow us to track the impact Green Space Dark Skies is having, and to share this with others. Measuring carbon emissions is also key to making sure we achieve our aim of being carbon net positive. Above all, we hope to create a model that other large-scale, outdoor events can adopt, so that they too reduce the impact of their events and also, maybe become carbon net positive.
What is local climate investment?
We are focused on reducing the impact of our events. Local climate investment and balancing is to cover unavoidable carbon emissions.
We are working with a national partner to find projects to support that will help to reduce carbon emissions.