Environmental Responsibility

Our environment mission statement:

To place the climate and environmental impact at the heart of our decision-making; actively seeking ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint through online working, adopting environmentally friendly practices within our community and aligning with larger-scale interventions in Manchester and the City Region, using music as a catalyst to raise awareness.

Key performance indicators/targets:

• An annual reduction in carbon emissions of 13% per annum
• An annual reduction of 10% per annum in electricity use
• An annual reduction of 3% per annum in gas use
• 100% of all waste is diverted from landfill
• 100% of significant facilities management/infrastructure contracts will have sustainability performance criteria included at tender stage
• 80% of any construction waste is recycled

Key achievements: 

• Saved 877 tonnes of (heat/power) carbon by 2020 (from a 2005 baseline of 1755)
• Gas usage reduced by 42% and electricity reduced by 10% in 2022/23 compared to 2021/22
• 100% of all waste is diverted from landfill
• 99% of plastics-use in catering is recycled and/or made from 100% recycled materials; we also have re-usable plastic glasses for our venues
• Removed all investments in fossil fuels

Climate emergency declaration

The RNCM joins organisations in Greater Manchester and around the world in declaring a climate emergency. This announcement is supported by the RNCM Board of Governors’ vision for a low carbon future.

We have agreed to the following key steps:

• Completely remove all investments in fossil fuels (achieved in 2022)
• Full heat decarbonisation by 2038
• Reduce carbon emissions by 13% annually to achieve Greater Manchester’s net zero carbon targets

Professor Linda Merrick CBE, Principal, said: ‘I am delighted that the RNCM and its Board of Governors has taken significant action to reduce our carbon footprint from heat decarbonisation, by securing significant external funding for major environmental works. Reducing our environmental impact through focusing on sustainable practices remains a key strategic objective which is something our students, staff and customers expect of us.’

Annual report/dashboard

The RNCM has had a Carbon Management Plan since 2010 and has a Sustainability 2032 Framework. The work that we do in this area is truly collaborative, and our Environment Working Group is made up of students and staff who are committed to meeting our environmental obligations.