The Edinburgh International Festival has achieved Net Zero Pathway verification from the British Standards Institute, which basically validates the organisation’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero status. It’s the first UK charity and arts organisation to achieve such verification. 

According to a statement, aligning with BSI’s Net Zero Pathway standards means the festival has “set a clear roadmap” to reach net zero emissions, with a three phase plan: “reaching net zero for gas, electricity and staff hired vehicles by 2030; waste, water, coach travel, printed materials and commuting by 2035; and freight, hotels and staff travel by 2045”. 

EIF is the big programmed arts festival that takes place during Edinburgh’s festival month. It also delivers a year-round programme of workshops and community engagement projects, and operates The Hub complex in the centre of the city. The net zero commitments apply to the whole operation. 

Expanding on its sustainability plans, the festival explains that, “unlike other approaches that rely on offsetting” – where an organisation compensates for its greenhouse emissions by investing in projects that reduce emissions – the BSI pathway “prioritises actual emissions reductions, ensuring that organisations are making genuine progress towards net zero”

EIF’s Sustainability Manager Terry Roberts, adds, “Our journey to net zero is an ongoing process, and we are actively seeking new ways and partners to reduce our environmental impact. The BSI certification provides a structure to achieving our ambitions, allowing us to understand where we are and what we need to do progress”. 

“We know this will be difficult and we can’t achieve anything alone”, he goes on, “but by working together with our artists, suppliers, partners, audiences and the wider community, we are confident we can play our part in creating meaningful change”.