Jetzt! Ein Wochenende fürs Klima

A concentrated cultural programme on the topics of climate change and sustainability awaits the audience at Jetzt! Ein Wochenende fürs Klima, the fourth edition of which will take place in Bochum from 22 to 24 November, including theatre, workshops, a children's programme, exciting lectures and discussions. In addition to the Ruhrtriennale, the Schauspielhaus Bochum, the Kunstmuseum Bochum, the Planetarium, the vhs and the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum are taking part as venues.

You can find more information in the event flyer and on the websites of the respective institutions.

Online lecture: Gemeinsam für die Zukunft: Ökologische Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien

On Friday, 22 November, you can take part in the Ruhrtriennale's online lecture entitled Gemeinsam für die Zukunft: Ökologische Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien at 4 pm. Prof Mi-Yong Becker, Vice President for Sustainability, Transfer & Entrepreneurship at the Bochum University of Applied Sciences, and Johanna Vormann with Regina Weidmann from the Ruhrtriennale will present the sustainability strategies of the two institutions. The presentations offer insights into the development of the strategies and thus into the anchoring of ecological sustainability in the structures of two central educational and cultural institutions in Bochum.

Following the impulses, the (virtual) room will be opened for a Q&A – we look forward to a lively exchange with all interested parties.

Foreword

In a world where resources are becoming ever scarcer and climate change is an increasingly significant challenge, it is vital that everyone does their bit to protect the environment and climate. The Ruhrtriennale is aware of this responsibility and has made sustainability a central aspect of its work.

Culture and sustainability are two sides of the same coin: without sustainable thinking and action, culture is inconceivable in the long term, and without culture we would lack the inspiration and creativity to develop and implement sustainable solutions. In this spirit, we see sustainability as a communal task. Good cooperation among everyone involved - artists, visitors, partners and patrons - is essential if we are to achieve our goals.

We invite you to read about our various sustainability projects and initiatives on this page and become part of our joint endeavours. Because one thing is clear: sustainability needs culture, and culture needs sustainability.

When implementing the sustainability projects, the following aspects form the basis of our actions:

Sustainability is a communal task

We make the best progress together. Good cooperation is key to achieving goals.

Sustainability is a work in progress

Sometimes there are no simple and quick solutions. We are continuously working to improve our status quo. 

Sustainability is recognisable in different ways

While some measures can be seen at first glance, others are less visible in the background. 

Our 6 points for more (ecological) sustainability

POINT 1: Artistic strategy

Artistic and ecological sustainability

We develop our productions in close cooperation with national and international partner organisations in order to ensure the use of our programme beyond the festival period. After the premieres in the Ruhr area, festival productions are presented again as part of international festivals or included in the repertoire of our partner theatres. This strategy promotes environmental, financial and artistic sustainability and makes it possible for festival artists to reach audiences worldwide.

Connecting international excellence with local impact

Our productions engage in dialogue with the communities of the region. They act as a space for dialogue between international and local talent. We develop tailor-made projects that involve local communities both in the auditorium and on the stage.

POINT 2: We measure

Our footprint

A carbon footprint is a helpful tool for understanding which areas of the festival generate emissions. Effective and targeted measures can be derived from this. In addition, the data collection makes it possible to continuously monitor and control the measures we have planned for the implementation of our sustainability strategy.

We draw up our carbon footprint in accordance with the nationwide standard for cultural institutions adopted in 2023, which is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.  The results of the last evaluation show that the festival’s emissions are mainly in the areas of energy and mobility. We therefore implement key measures in these areas.

POINT 3: We implement

Our measures

From very small to very big: our measures vary in terms of complexity, implementation time and impact. A diverse mix of measures that works in the various fields of activity is particularly effective.

POINT 4: We network

Our cooperations and partnerships

We see sustainability as a communal task. We therefore form alliances with partners and are active in networks. We learn from each other and have the chance to influence topics and processes that are not directly in our area of responsibility.

  • Cooperation with Bochum University of Applied Sciences
  • Partnership Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit (sustainability action network)
  • Networking with regional players in the cultural landscape

POINT 5: We take a stand

Our strategy and mission statement

The systemic and strategic anchoring of sustainability in our organisation and in the festival is important to us. We have therefore developed a sustainability strategy and anchored the topic in our mission statement.

Mission statement: in a two-year process, we as a team have taken a constructive look at our values, our attitudes, our identity and our environment. In so doing, we have identified sustainability as a core value and explicitly anchored it in our mission statement.

Strategy: to strategically anchor sustainability in the company, we have not only created the position of a sustainability manager, but also developed a sustainability strategy for the area of environmental sustainability. This is mainly based on the information from the carbon footprint and shows which fields of action are relevant for us and which targets we wish to achieve.

POINT 6: We work for and with you

Your contribution to a more sustainable festival

Sustainability is a communal task. Everyone can contribute to making the festival that little bit better, greener and more sustainable:

  • Can you get to the event on foot, by bike, public transport or car sharing? The Kombi-Ticket provides incentives. We are aware that not all venues are easily reached by public transport. In our festival stories, we show you how you can travel safely to Ruhrtriennale events and save emissions at the same time.
  • Put rubbish and cigarette butts in the bins provided.
  • We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas on the subject of sustainability. We invite you to take part in our visitor survey after attending the event. In this way, you give us valuable input and suggestions.