Sustainability in Dance & Touring

Challenge

• Sadler’s Wells, a world-leading dance organisation, is expanding its sustainability efforts across performances, venues, and long-term operations.

• Required support to:
  • Assess and reduce the environmental impact of touring productions.
  • Improve energy efficiency at its main theatre.
  • Develop a clear net zero strategy aligned with a 2035 target.

Our Approach

Pilio has worked with Sadler’s Wells to:

• Conduct a carbon footprint assessment for the North American tour of Message in a Bottle, using Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Climate Tool.

• Provide recommendations to reduce touring impact, commissioned by Arts Council England as a model for the sector.

• Support the Message in a Bottle team with a venue engagement strategy, including:
  • Sustainability research
  • Venue sustainability questionnaire
  • City vibe questionnaire to guide sustainable staff practices

• Deliver an energy audit of the main theatre, identifying efficiency improvements.

• Develop a Capital Investment Readiness Strategy to map out pathways to net zero through strategic capital investment.

Results

• First-of-its-kind carbon footprint assessment for an international dance tour.

• Practical strategies to reduce emissions from performances and touring operations.

• Identified energy-saving opportunities for the main theatre.

• Clear capital investment roadmap to support Sadler’s Wells’ 2035 net zero commitment.

Client Impact

• Positioned Sadler’s Wells as a climate leader in performing arts.

• Equipped staff and touring teams with tools to adopt sustainable practices.

• Provided evidence to support long-term capital planning for net zero.

Next Steps

• Support implementation of touring sustainability recommendations.

• Guide capital investments to deliver measurable energy and carbon reductions.

• Continue monitoring progress towards the 2035 net zero target.

Takeaway

From touring productions to theatre operations, Sadler’s Wells demonstrates how arts organisations can measure, reduce, and strategically plan for net zero while setting a model for the wider performing arts sector.