Sustainable entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industry
The cultural sector plays a vital role in crafting new narratives and shedding light on the societal challenges we face. But taking action behind the scenes to reduce the environmental impact of your activities is just as important. Choosing reusable sets or encouraging your audience to use sustainable transport helps reduce your footprint and amplifies your message by setting an inspiring example. Adopting resource- and energy-efficient practices also helps lower your costs and gives you access to regional funding schemes that reward social and environmental excellence. Moreover, Brussels is full of tools and initiatives to support you on your ecological transition journey.
Where to start? Levers for action
To incorporate environmental considerations into the daily management of your business, you should pay attention to the following key aspects:
- Prioritise the purchase of local and sustainable materials
- Use second-hand furniture where possible
- Limit your energy consumption
- Comply with noise regulations
- Inform and engage your audience (public transport, soft mobility)
Building your environmental strategy
A range of tools and support services are available in the Brussels-Capital Region to help you start or deepen your sustainability journey. In our dedicated section, you'll find all the transition support and tools available in the Brussels Region. These include the Ecodynamic Organisation Label, which offers free assistance in implementing an environmental management approach, and the self-assessment tool from hub.brussels, which helps you to evaluate your progress in terms of your sustainable transition approach.
There are also specific tools for the cultural and creative sector. These are listed below.
Resources and tools for the cultural and creative industries
EventChange Factsheets
Practical guides covering topics such as water management, biodiversity, waste management, and more.
ARVIVA
- Guide with concrete actions to reduce your environmental impact: open source, digital sobriety, carpooling, joint procurement.
- Resource Library
Guides on mobility in the performing arts, waste prevention in audiovisual production, organising outdoor cultural events, and more.
Calculating your environmental footprint
The performing arts sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly because of frequent road and air transport, increasing use of digital technology, collective catering, building construction and maintenance, etc. However, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from live performances, as well as their impact on biodiversity and resources, are poorly understood. To address the lack of data and tools to accurately assess the environmental footprint of artistic projects, Arviva developed SEEDS – the Environmental Footprint Simulation Tool for Live Performance.
Designed to be accessible and easy to use, SEEDS is tailored to the operations of performing arts organisations — companies, venues, festivals — and the diversity of their activities: creation, production, distribution, etc.
Go further: get support
Ready to embark on a sustainable journey? Numerous support organisations in the Brussels Region can help you every step of the way.
Who can help me ?
