Climate action needs creative solutions. At SWG3, our mission is to take ambitious climate action and ensure the future of live music for generations to come. We pledge to transparently measure, communicate and reduce our impact on the environment and share our successes and learnings along the way. Read our 2024 sustainability report here.
In 2024, our total carbon footprint was 963.91 tCO2e - an increase of 35% compared to 2023. While this rise may initially seem concerning, it is largely due to the expanded scope of our carbon accounting.
Despite the overall rise in carbon emissions, we achieved improvements in several key areas:
Emissions from gas consumption and business travel both fell by over 50%, staff commuting and waste/recycling emissions decreased by over 20%, and our recycling rate rose to 64% – a 2% improvement, bringing us closer to our 70% recycling target for 2025.
In 2021, we set an ambitious goal to become operationally net zero by 2025. In 2024 we have achieved a 77% reduction on the baseline data - a significant milestone.
However, due to the continued expansion of the scope in our reporting, we have made the decision to revise our net zero target to 2027. To meet this goal, we will need to reduce operational emissions by approximately 25% each year.
We aim to power our events efficiently with clean, renewable energy. We've been purchasing 100% renewable energy since 2021 and in 2022 we switched on BODYHEAT, our renewable heating and cooling system that harnesses body heat from our audiences. We've also got plans to start generating our own electricity through solar power.
We're working with our suppliers to source materials and services sustainably and design out waste from our operations. In 2023 we eliminated plastic cups from our gigs and events by introducing reusable Stack Cups to our bars. We aim to increase collaboration with suppliers to find innovative ways to embrace the circular economy.
Audience and staff travel to SWG3 accounts for over 80% of our carbon footprint. We plan to work with our audiences, artists and partners in the travel sector to reduce and mitigate travel emissions and encourage people to travel to the venue sustainably by improving cycling facilities and public transport provision.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions has a key role to play in the sustainability of SWG3 and our planet, we recognise the need to approach our environment holistically. We aim to go beyond carbon reduction to embrace circular economy principles and regenerative practices that positively impact people and planet.