In 2023, we defined the purpose of our activism work as “fighting for young people’s futures” - and of course, this positions ethical and green decision-making at our core; understanding our responsibility to future generations, as an organisation growing in the present.
As a social change organisation, we’re committed to protecting the environment from the internal and external impacts of our operations and interventions.
Mortal Fools pledge to be greener, more sustainable, and lessen our carbon footprint.
As a social change organisation, we’re committed to protecting the environment from the internal and external impacts of our operations and interventions.
Mortal Fools pledge to be greener, more sustainable, and lessen our carbon footprint.
'The Bigger Picture' session. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions.
We are committed to:
- Actively considering the environment and our impact in all decision-making across the organisation.
- Complying with all relevant environmental legislation and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes.
- Monitoring our energy usage, travel emissions, and waste usage so we can understand our carbon footprint. In the past year we have monitored our energy usage, travel emissions, and waste usage, to identify baseline figures and learn where there is room for improvement.
- Setting SMART targets and reviewing them at regular points to ensure we are improving our recycling and waste management processes across our locations.
- Embedding sustainable practices into our young people’s projects; creating opportunities to engage our young beneficiaries in discussions about climate change and environmental action, and seeking to understand the impact of climate change on young people.
- Taking part in wider conversations in the charity, education, arts and North East business sectors, on the impact we can make collectively and the pursuit of Net Zero in North of Tyne.
- Taking part in environmental initiatives such as Zero Waste Week and contributing to environmental conversations and projects in the communities where we work.
- Reducing travel emissions by encouraging online meetings, working from home, and car sharing.
- Investing in energy-efficient and renewably-powered production technology.
- Strengthening our commitment to reusing and repurposing set pieces, props, and costumes, and renting or buying second-hand where possible.
- Encouraging sustainable consumption associated with our activities to minimise unnecessary waste of electricity, fuel, and materials.
- Considering the environmental credentials of our contractors and sourcing locally where we can. We fully believe in the power of the circular economy.
- Ensuring all employees are aware of their green responsibilities, receive training on reducing their waste production and carbon footprint, and take responsibility to lessen our employee footprint.
- Holding space for staff to have open discussions about the challenges and opportunities of sustainable working.
'The Bigger Picture' practitioners. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions.
Green Team
Meet Mortal Fools' dedicated action learning group, who are responsible for shaping our environmental policy and improving our activities, so they are greener and more sustainable:
Maisie SaundersTrustee and former Ensemble Young Company memberI am interested in sustainability and environmental issues because I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to help preserve our planet for future generations.
As a Trustee, I hope to help develop and maintain sustainable policies that reduce our impact on the environment. By weaving these principles into the fabric of Mortal Fools, I hope we can inspire our team and everyone we collaborate with to adopt more environmentally conscious behaviours. I am particularly interested in using our platform to spread awareness. In the arts, we have a unique ability to communicate complex issues in an accessible and engaging way, and I want to use this to create change in our local and wider communities. |
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Elinor BryantMarketing and Community Engagement AssistantI’ve always enjoyed spending time outdoors and I think everyone should have access to green spaces. The more I learn about climate change, the more pressing an issue it becomes for me and I believe it is vital we do all we can to mitigate the effects of climate degradation worldwide.
In my role as Marketing and Community Engagement Assistant, I have the opportunity to connect to lots of different people who are passionate about the environment. I can help create wider change for the arts and charity sectors, support young people to share their thoughts with a wider audience, and help them take practical action to work through climate anxiety. |
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Zoe LammingPractitioner and Co-ordinatorWe all have a role to play in ensuring we look after our environment and work towards a sustainable future for us and future generations. Working for Mortal Fools, it will be no surprise that I am passionate about creating better futures for young people and this is something that the young people we work with care deeply about.
As a practitioner, I can work towards bringing more environmentally friendly practices into all our contact with young people. This can also open conversations with people we engage with, both on a regular basis such as our youth theatre sessions, or at one-off workshops and events. |
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Stu Rutherford-OrrockTrusteeAs an education professional, I am passionate about equipping young people with the knowledge and tools that they need to help tackle the climate crisis head on. It is important that they have a voice. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders, and their involvement in sustainability efforts is key to driving real change.
I am keen to support the work of the Mortal Fools' Green Team and highlight this important work by further bringing it to the attention of the Mortal Fools board. Having recently joined the Board Environmental Champions Programme through Julie's Bicycle, I am interested in working with the Green Team to accelerate their sustainability plans, monitor Mortal Fools' environmental impact, and support best practice in governance. |
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Craig SpenceProduction ManagerAs Production Manager I am always considering the environmental impact of my work - whether that is when working with design and directing teams, cast members, or local hire companies.
Over the past 10 year we have built up a substantial store of props, costume, set pieces, and technical equipment, and I am always looking for the best way to incorporate these items into new productions to reduce our waste and keep our productions fun and interesting. It can be challenging at times but is always exciting to see what we can do with reused and recycled items. This also feeds into the operational side of my role which involves monitoring through the Julie's Bicycle scheme and managing our cloud storage to keep our digital footprint to a minimum throughout a growing team. |
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Accreditations and Initiatives
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Investors in the Environment
In 2023, we achieved Bronze accreditation from Investors in the Environment, in recognition of our commitment to reducing Mortal Fools' environmental impact and to continually improving our sustainability performance. Being a part of this scheme means we are recognised to be taking action to reduce our environmental impact - working through the iiE framework, protecting biodiversity through nature-based projects, and setting net zero carbon targets. |
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Our bronze accreditation means we have:
- Completed a full audit of our energy usage, travel emissions, and waste usage, to calculate our carbon footprint, identify baseline figures, and learn where there is room for improvement.
- Established SMART action plans and implemented processes, policies, and systems to reduce waste usage, travel emissions, and energy usage.
- Taken part in environmental projects such as Zero Waste Week.
- Communicated progress to our Mortal Fools Community.
Julie's Bicycle Spotlight Programme
Julie’s Bicycle works with Arts Council England to deliver an ambitious environmental programme, and supports National Portfolio Organisations like Mortal Fools to think creatively about the climate and nature crisis. The programme provides resources, tools, courses, and programmes supporting us to take climate action. They aim to empower our sector to rise to the challenges the climate crises present, and to accelerate and scale our collective response.
Julie’s Bicycle works with Arts Council England to deliver an ambitious environmental programme, and supports National Portfolio Organisations like Mortal Fools to think creatively about the climate and nature crisis. The programme provides resources, tools, courses, and programmes supporting us to take climate action. They aim to empower our sector to rise to the challenges the climate crises present, and to accelerate and scale our collective response.
The Theatre Green Book
The Green Book is an initiative by a world-wide collective of theatre-makers, working with sustainability experts Buro Happold to work more sustainably. In three volumes, it sets standards for making productions sustainably, for making theatre buildings sustainable, and for improving operations like catering and front of house.
The Green Book is an initiative by a world-wide collective of theatre-makers, working with sustainability experts Buro Happold to work more sustainably. In three volumes, it sets standards for making productions sustainably, for making theatre buildings sustainable, and for improving operations like catering and front of house.
The Future...
'My People' rehearsal. Photo Credit: Von Fox Promotions.
The above is just the beginning of our greener journey, limiting our impact on the future. Our next step will be to publish and share our new environmental policy, which will strengthen and formalise our commitment to greener and more sustainable practices. So, watch this space!
In the meantime, we are actively looking for more ways to engage with the communities we work with on these issues and to get involved in green community social action in Ashington, Prudhoe, across Northumberland, and in the North East. If there are any brilliant environmental projects or community organisations you think we should know about, please email: [email protected]
In the meantime, we are actively looking for more ways to engage with the communities we work with on these issues and to get involved in green community social action in Ashington, Prudhoe, across Northumberland, and in the North East. If there are any brilliant environmental projects or community organisations you think we should know about, please email: [email protected]
