New Nordic Green Guide to Battle Climate Changes
A new Nordic Green Orchestra Guide has been published which aims to give orchestras tangible tools and inspiration to implement actions that will help them in the process of green transition. The guide is created by DEOO - the Association of Danish Ensembles, Orchestras and Opera Institutions, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Bæredygtigt Kulturliv NU, BARC Scandinavia and Danske Kulturbestyrelser. The guide was financed with the support of Augustinusfonden, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansen Fonden and Nordisk Kulturfond.
Precisely one year ago, 36 Nordic orchestras and festivals met in Reykjavík and signed a declaration of intent with the title ‘“A Future with Sustainable Culture'. Now, a year later, the Green Orchestra Guide is presented. It gives the orchestras concrete tools to act more climate friendly. Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir, General Manager of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, states that the Green Guide will certainly be useful for orchestras in the Nordic. “I am very proud of the guide, which I know will be very useful both for us and other Nordic orchestras to implement sustainable actions in our operations. This also shows us how important Nordic cooperation is and how we can further support each other in issues such as the climate crisis.”
One example to be found in the orchestra guide is from Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, where old habits, obdurate systems and strong hierarchies have been blocking efforts to implement climate actions. Katrine Ganer Skaug, Artistic and Managing Director of Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra and Concert Hall, elaborates: ”It's easier to complete actions with a certain level of activism that creates attention than to work with changes that make a more permanent difference. A great portion of change management is needed for internal changes – in addition to an extended and consistent dialogue with both politicians and audiences to create a change of attitude which includes rethinking the systemic and financial foundation on which we stand.” However, she sees how the Green Orchestra Guide can generate a starting point for international exchange of knowledge, dialogue and inspiration, and points out: “Why not start here? We must stop being ashamed despite we all think we aren't doing enough. This guide can initiate the conversation with the ‘why' – and that is really valuable.”
Download the Green Orchestra Guide here: https://www.barcscandinavia.com/publications