How big is the National Theater's carbon footprint?
3/2/2025
In recent years, sustainability has become a natural part of life for cultural institutions around the world—and the National Theater is no exception. Our buildings breathe history, but we operate them in the present, which demands responsible use of energy and resources. That is why we measured our carbon footprint in detail in 2023. Not out of curiosity, but so that we could make better decisions about where and how to reduce emissions.
And because we believe in openness, we are providing an overview of the most important points: what we found, what it means, and where we are headed next.
What exactly is a carbon footprint and why do we care?
A carbon footprint expresses the amount of greenhouse gases produced by an organization's operations. This includes not only carbon dioxide (CO₂), but also several other gases that often have a much stronger warming effect. To be able to compare them, they are converted into a single common unit – CO₂ equivalent.
This allows us to see the impact of, for example, electricity generation, natural gas consumption, or employee travel. At the same time, we can compare these sources of emissions and plan steps that really make sense.
How we measure our carbon footprint at ND
We adhere to an internationally recognized methodology that divides emissions into three categories:
Scope 1: direct emissions
– burning natural gas for heating
– fuel consumption in our vehicle fleet
Scope 2: indirect emissions
– production of the electricity we use
Scope 3: other indirect emissions
– transportation of employees, contractors, and audience members
– waste production
– business trips
– and other items in our operational chain
In 2023, we have accurately measured Scope 1 and 2, and for Scope 3, we have prepared a methodology and are collecting data.
What we found: the biggest footprint is where energy flows
The National Theater is a complex of buildings with high demands on technology, audience comfort, and conditions for creative work. It is therefore not surprising that the largest part of emissions comes from energy consumption.
How many emissions did we produce in 2023?
Total: 4,291 tons of CO₂e
Of which:
- 54.3% is natural gas consumption
- 41.9% is electricity consumption
- 1.8% is vehicle fleet
- 2.0% is waste production
Whether we measure per square meter, per employee, per visitor, or per performance, the results give us a clear picture: the greatest potential for savings lies in the energy management of buildings.
The good news? We've already started.
When the sun shines, we perform more sustainably
Photovoltaic power plants operate on the roofs of our operational buildings. Thanks to them, we reduced emissions by 28.1 tons of CO₂e in 2023.
Yes, it's not a revolution in terms of total volume, but it's a significant step. And above all, it's the beginning of a broader strategy that includes further investments in renewable energy sources, energy-saving technologies, and smart energy management.
The theater leaves its mark not only in the foyer
The theater is a living organism — and its carbon footprint extends beyond the buildings themselves. That is why we also focus on Scope 3, i.e., emissions associated with employee commuting, travel by external contractors and audience members, and business trips.
This is where a small change can have a huge effect. How do people travel to performances? How do performers travel? What are the transportation habits of employees?
To find out, we have prepared a system of questionnaires, analyses, and work with suppliers. Accurate data allows us to better target future measures — from encouraging the use of public transport to streamlining creative processes.
Why we do all this
Measuring our carbon footprint is not a formality for the filing cabinet. It is a mirror that shows us where we can improve. And that's on several levels:
- more economical use of resources
- reduction of operating costs
- modernization of buildings
- greater comfort for audiences and employees
- and last but not least — responsible behavior towards the environment that surrounds us all
We create the National Theater for the public. And we believe that part of our mission is to care for the world in which the theater lives.
Where we are going next
The year 2023 was a crucial step—now we know where we stand. The coming years will see us working to reduce our footprint in a targeted manner.
We are planning:
- further development of photovoltaics
- modernization of technical security in buildings
- emphasis on savings during operation
- improved data collection for Scope 3
- employee training in sustainability
- cooperation with audiences to reduce traffic congestion
The theater has always been a place where art, people, and social responsibility come together. And today, caring for our planet is part of that tradition.
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