At intoBodmin, we recently calculated our carbon footprint for 2023-24. This allows us to see which areas are doing well and which areas need to be improved. It also allows us to track our progress into the future. You can calculate your own carbon footprint and begin your own environmental journey by following this link https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ .

Audience Travel

Audience travel makes up 60% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. We need the support and engagement from the whole community to try and reduce this. Whilst we understand the restrictions of our audience living in a rural area, there are still many actions that can be taken. To improve this, we are taking steps such as promoting the use of public and other sustainable transport options to get to our events. You can find out how to travel to us more sustainably by visiting our getting here page. We have also trialed a car pooling scheme for our Theatre in the Woods sessions, held at Cardinham in 2024 to try and reduce audience car usage. Although there was limited uptake for this, we hope that in the future, this scheme will become more successful.

Waste

Waste makes up 29% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. Food waste from the café is minimal as the specials board is always changing to prevent waste. Any food scraps are added to the compost heap when possible which cuts this even further. We have achieved silver plastic free status from Surfers against Sewage and are looking at how to achieve gold. To reduce this further we are looking at cup usage at larger St Petrocs session events and getting food waste bins for cooked waste.

Energy

Energy makes up 8% of the Carbon footprint for intoBodmin. The switch from night storage heaters to solar panels has significantly decreased our night-time energy usage, as well as decreasing our dependency on fossil fuels. The building renovations have also seen our day-time energy usage remain constant, despite us holding more events and the Café being open for longer. We are introducing signage to remind people to reduce their energy usage, with the aim of further decreasing our carbon footprint. This will help us meet the goal in our Action plan by reducing our energy usage by 10% by the end of the year.

To find out more about what we are doing as an Organisation, click here to find a blog about what Sustainable switches we have made. Or follow this link to access our Environmental policy and Action plan.

Written by Daisy Teague