7 Key Actions to Make Performing Arts Practice More Ecologically Sustainable - IETM Workshop Report

Joris Janssens at IDEA Consult led a workshop during the Plenary Meeting of IETM - International network for contemporary performing arts - in October, 2019, about behavior change in the performing arts, in the light of the ecological crisis and climate change.

"Most people in the performing arts will be quite aware of the human factor in the climate catastrophe. Still, many find it difficult to imagine how you can match this insight with your practice, in a sector that relies heavily on international mobility."
Joris Janssens, "How to make our performing arts practice more ecologically sustainable?"

Janssens asserted that in order for the sustainability efforts to move beyond the scope of personal actions and toward the systemic change, it takes innovators and early adopters who are able to take, translate, and adapt new ideas for the mainstream, so that, eventually, a critical mass of change and relationships can be created.  

In his report on the workshop, Janssens listed a series of key elements that pioneers who successfully mobilized systemic, behavior changes with regards to ecological sustainability in the performing arts had in common: 

1. Tweaking the schemes
2. The importance of ecological education
3. Leading by example, multiplying through inspiration
4. Connect to nature, start at home
5. Change organisational policies
6. Greening public space and cultural infrastructure
7. It’s not a question of money, it’s a question of priorities