IBT's Environmental Policy

‘Art’s most important job is to shape the urgent stories in which we can see ourselves. Art gathers us together, compels and implicates us, makes us feel, screams in our faces, builds empathy, tells us how others are acting, feeling, changing. In a world in which Climate Change is already affecting millions of people, art needs to tell the truth, empower us to act, and show us the possibilities of a safer, greener world. Art needs to immerse us in our humanity, showing us what we love whilst reminding us of the things we will lose.’ — Helen Cole, IBT Artistic Director/Co-CEO 

IBT is committed to embedding environmental sustainability into our organisation’s ethos, mission, and activities. 

We advocate for environmental issues through our artistic programme, developing and sharing sustainable models of international production and touring. Collaborating with artists, we use live art to inspire action, connect to nature, and unleash creativity. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint, enhance organisational sustainability, and drive positive environmental change. 

• Lead sustainable internationalism in the arts. 
• Inspire communities to address and reduce environmental impacts through collective artistic experiences. 
• Create art that transforms lives and fosters holistic regenerative models of production and audience engagement. 
• Challenge peers and collaborators to think and act differently across borders. 
• Share best practices and learn from others. 

• Long-term collaboration with artists, audiences, and communities. 
• Developing diverse leadership and challenging hierarchies. 
• Supporting care, resilience, and well-being. 
• Prioritising resource efficiency (e.g., recycling, reusing, regenerative practices). 
• Building connections to nature. 
• Developing hybrid and digital practices. 

We commit to measuring, mitigating, and reducing the environmental impacts of our activities while encouraging those we work with to do the same. Key areas include: 

1. Organisational Impact: Addressing the sustainability of staffing, travel, procurement, curatorial policies, and workspaces. 
2. Programme Practices: Prioritising sustainable materials, partnerships, and hybrid working methods. 
3. Audience Engagement: Highlighting sustainable themes, promoting eco-friendly travel options, and measuring progress through data collection. 

We aim to reduce business travel by leveraging online tools and prioritising low-carbon transport. For international travel, we favour slower, longer, and sustainable journeys. We strive to share our learnings with networks and communities to foster a more equitable and sustainable environment. 

For each event, we consider environmental impacts such as energy, water, waste, transport, and food. We prioritise suppliers and services with strong environmental and ethical credentials. 

IBT leads through initiatives like Artists as Changemakers and Special Envoy, which explore innovative international models of touring and production. We focus on personal and organisational sustainability to reflect our communities’ needs and foster well-being and cohesion. 

Supported by IBT’s Environmental Action Plan, we monitor and annually review our environmental performance, reporting progress internally and externally. 

Since declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019, IBT has redefined its festival model. Shifting from a high-impact international showcase to a locally co-created model, IBT19 connected 14 international artists with 634 local participants, with 32% of artists from Bristol. 

We reduced international air travel by 50% while prioritising global majority artists (54% of the programme). Initiatives included sustainable touring models, tree-planting schemes offsetting 79% of emissions, and hybrid/digital commissions during IBT21. 

IBT’s evolved model creates pathways into creativity, addressing sector gaps and global challenges. Programmes like Special Envoy and WILDNESS embody sustainable international collaboration. By fostering symbiotic, diverse, and resilient global communities, we continue to champion sustainable and international artistic practices. 

This policy is reviewed annually and supported by the IBT Environmental Action Plan. Next review: 2nd December 2025.