Sustainable Policies for Theatres and Performance Spaces at Tiny Opera Company - Case Study Example

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Sustainable policies for theatres and performance spaces Assessment task 1: Policy option summary A sustainable policy refers to a statement that outlines the commitment of an organization to certain areas of sustainability. A sustainable policy can be in regard to the sourcing of sustainable resources, the reduction of waste as well as minimizing carbon emissions. Most if the policies combine all these aspects together though at times each can be the focus of a policy without the other aspects. (Vicki 23) The use of sustainable resources in this case majorly concerns use of recyclable products at Tiny Opera Company. Such resources are meant to be environmental friendly. Such resources may include the renovation of the existing infrastructure in order to have structures that are responsive to the climate changes. This means using recycled materials such as carpets, ceiling as well as floor panels. It also involves capturing the used resources at the Opera Company for recycling. Information Technology hardware can be returned to the provider for recycling purposes instead of disposing such hardware which can also be hazardous. Such policy focusing on sourcing sustainable resources can also include using plastic materials that can be recycled. The implementation of this policy can begin within 3 months after the policy is made. This is because there are the easier parts such as acquiring recyclable materials used daily in the Company. Such can be done immediately or during the next purchase of the resources necessary for the Company. The renovation of the structures can however take longer but within a period of 12 months. The cost of the implementation of the project would be minimal as far as the change of the materials used is concerned. The purchase of the recyclable resources would be a replacement of the other resources hence the cost would be low. The renovation to ensure that the structures are environmental friendly would however incur great cost to the company. A sustainable policy concerning the reduction of waste can easily be merged with the one on the sustainable use of resources. Reduction of waste means using recyclable products. Marketing materials can be of a recyclable nature. The implementation of such a policy would take a shorter period, approximately 3 to 4 months. This is because the process would involve replacing the materials used with materials that can be recycled. The cost would be considerably low and would ensure gains to the company since the resources used can be recycled hence the cost of acquisition of such materials is reduced. A sustainable policy focusing on the reduction of carbon emissions would focus majorly on the use of energy at the company. Such a policy would focus on energy conservation and management. This would include a lighting upgrade to ensure that the lights used are able to conserve energy and also ensuring that lights are off when not in use. The electronic equipment such as computers should be turned off when not in use. Such a policy would also cover the size of the car fleet to reduce energy consumption. (Gert 688) This policy would be costly than the others since it would require an assessment in order to identify those areas where energy is consumed at high rates. This would help to develop energy saving methods as well as the implementation of such methods. The policy would require a minimum of one tear to fully implement. The high costs would result from the fact that the staff would have to be trained on how to conserve energy. It would also involve putting up structures that enable conservation of energy. Sustainability policy Scope of the policy This policy applies to all the staff at Tiny Opera Company, that is, the 10 staff members currently employed at the company as well as any other staff members that may be employed later on. This policy is made in compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and the Requirements of the Work Cover Authority. Commitment to the policy Tiny Opera Company is committed to promoting sustainability through incorporating environmental concerns in its activities and operations. The concern for the environment and the promotion of a sustainability agenda form an integral part of the Company’s management as well as professional activities. The aim of Tiny Opera Company is to ensure good sustainable practice in order to reduce the environmental impact of the activities of the company. We also aim to help our clients and other stakeholders to promote the same agenda. Minimizing resource use Tiny Opera Company undertakes to promote the use of recyclable resources in order to reduce the use of resources at the company. The offices and other structures of the company are to be fitted with recyclable materials such as carpets and work stations. This also includes the installation of shelving systems to keep stock of any stock used in rehearsals as well as productions. Such stock is to be preserved for recycling and brought back to be used. Any tools used at the Company and other equipment are to be made of recyclable material. Energy consumption at the company has to be reduced by acquiring energy efficient equipment. All papers used must be double-sided to reduce the use of paper at the offices. Reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use Tiny Opera Company is committed to reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and materials include. Hazardous chemicals include flammable liquids, acids and gases. Any staff or person must request for prior permission to bring any material that may be considered as hazardous. The storage of such materials must be arranged by the person bringing them after approval has been given. Spray painting will not be allowed ay the company without prior approval. All members of staff must undertake to ensure that the use of hazardous chemicals is reduced. The use of oil based paints as well as solvents, is restricted in the premises of the company. Use of such paints requires prior permission. Life cycle management approaches Tiny Opera Company is committed to reducing the carbon footprint in their activities. This covers the use of energy efficiency methods in all the activities meant to conserve energy. It is also committed to ensuring the conservation of water which includes reducing the use of water for conservation. It also aims at ensuring the safety of the staff and other people on its premises. The Company shall ensure that work is carried out in a way that protects the staff from injuries arising from a fall. This involves the use of fall prevention device where applicable. Personal protective equipment will be provided to protect the workers from hazardous materials where there is such a risk. Implementing a sustainability continuous improvement strategy To ensure the continuation of the sustainability policy and strategies, the company undertakes to continuously train their staff on sustainability and to ensure that such policies are incorporated in to the culture of the organization. Further, the company will conduct periodical developments in to the sustainable policy to capture new developments. Interim report The sustainability policy for Tiny Opera Company was developed through an analysis of the development of such policies among theatre companies. The policy was also developed through a critical analysis of the commitment of the company to sustainability. Development of the policy focused on the legislations that govern the industry to ensure that the commitments of the company comply with the laws set for the industry. One of the best practices reviewed include the role of employees in the implementation of the sustainability policy. This practice informed the policy in that the sustainability ought to be integrated in to the culture of the company. As such the policy was developed in a way that requires the staff to be trained to enable them take part in the sustainability activities. Further, the employees are expected to incorporate sustainability in the discharge of their responsibilities. Management accountability was also considered where the leaders in the company ought to be held accountable for the sustainability performance at the company. To promote the awareness of the sustainability policy, it is important to ensure that the policy makes up part of the employment details used in the recruitment of staff for the company. The potential employees need to be versed with the policy. Further, printed copies of the policy are to be distributed to the staff members and all the stakeholders of the company. The details of the policy may also be displayed on the premises of the company to enable any person using the facilities of the company to incorporate the sustainable practices in the policy. To maximize the impact of the policy, it is important to conduct training for all the staff as well as stakeholders of the company in the sustainability policy. This is to equip them with the necessary skills to ensure that they practice the provisions of the policy. Training also provides an opportunity to integrate the policy in the culture of the company. The policy should also be incorporated in all the marketing activities conducted by the company to ensure that any clients or persons willing to work with the company are aware of the policy. All stakeholders of the company need to be actively involved in spreading awareness of the policy. They are also required to be aware and practice the provisions of the policy. Assessment task 2 Appendix 2 – Implementation plan Implementation Plan Objectives 1. Reduce energy use 2. Embed environmental sustainability in everything we do. 3. Engage and inspire 4. Keep accurate records Action Required Associated target Resources Timeline Accountability 1. Purchasing of electronic equipment that conserve energy especially in regard to the lighting system. 2. Conduct training for the staff on the ways to conserve energy. This includes training on how to ensure energy conservation practices. 3. Making a presentation to the staff demonstrating how to conserve energy. This includes activities such as switching off lights and electronic appliances when not in use. To ensure that all stakeholders are conversant with energy conservation practices. Training facilities, materials as well as the necessary equipment to make the presentation to all the stakeholders 3 to 4 months The Trust and Executive Teams will assess the progress made in these efforts. 1. Preparation of a presentation to the staff and the stakeholders on conducting practices that ensuresconservation of the environment. The presentation covers areas such as reduction of water use and reduction in waste production. 2. Conduct training for all the staff to ensure that they incorporate environmental sustainability practices in their activities. To ensure that environmental sustainability is embedded in the workplace culture of Sydney Opera House. Published information booklets for all the stakeholders to provide guidance in promoting environmental sustainability policy. To be conducted within a period of 6 months. Assessment shall be conducted on all the stakeholders to measure compliance with the standards. 1. Train the Sydney House Staff to be able to engage and inspire clients and stakeholders in taking part in the achievement of the goals of the organization in performing arts and promoting social and environmental sustainability. 2. Prepare presentations for the staff and audiences to engage them and inspire them in playing a bigger role promoting sustainability. To embed the concept of sustainability in staff, stakeholders and audiences. Training workshops for staff and stakeholders. 2 to 3 months Periodic assessment of the views and practices of the staff and audiences in promoting sustainability. 1. Provide training for the staff on how to minimize the use of resources. 2. Making a presentation to the staff and other stakeholders on the best ways to ensure reduction in the use of resources. To ensure reduction in the reduction in the use of resources at Sydney Opera House. Use of recyclable resources at the organization. 2 to 3 months Monthly assessment on the use of resources. Monitoring strategy Description of objective/outcome/activity/task Metric/key performance indicator Baseline (previous year’s performance) Target Data collection methods The board of directors is able to incorporate environmental sustainability in to the culture of the House. All staff are carrying out their responsibilities in a way to ensure environmental sustainability. Some of the staff were still non-responsive to the policy Board of directors Quantitative method The ability to conserve energy and water in their duties Decrease in the consumption of water and energy High levels of energy consumption House cafe and bar staff Quantitative method Minimal use of resources in their work Use of recyclable resources Continuous use of non-recyclable resources Office staff Retail staff Installation of energy conserving electrical equipment Considerably low consumption of energy A slight decrease in energy consumption Electrical maintenance staff Qualitative method Low consumption of water in building maintenance. Low levels of water used in maintenance Slight decrease in the amount of water used in maintenance Building maintenance staff Quantitative method Installation of water saving appliances Decrease in water wastage High levels of water wasted due to use of poor appliances. Plumbing staff Qualitative method Reduction in the number of resources used Minimal resources used in performing Unnecessary use of resources by performers Performers Quantitative method Use of environmentally sensitive techniques and practices Uniformity of the implementation of the sustainable policies at all levels Some sectors still lagging behind in implementing the sustainable policy Administration staff Qualitative method Staff training session This training is organized for all House café and bar staff, building maintenance staff and all the office staff members. The session is meant to train the staff on the right practices to ensure that use of resources is minimized, energy is conserved and water use is reduced in line with the Sydney Opera House Environmental Sustainability policy. The Sydney Opera House Environmental Sustainability policy is a commitment made by the organization to conserve natural resources and minimize waste and pollution in order to protect the environment. As Sydney Opera Housebecomes a symbol of modern Australia, it also aims at becoming a leader in environmental and social sustainability. All members of staff are therefore required to take action individually and collectively in order to promote environmental sustainability. (Sydney Opera House 1) All the staff members are required to adopt practices that ensure minimal use of resources as well as to reduce waste production and pollution. In minimizing the use of resources, the staff members are required to conserve energy and also reduce the use of water in Sydney Opera House as part of the implementation of the sustainability policy. Even as the purchase of energy saving electronic equipment is ongoing, members of staff are expected to ensure that energy is used only when necessary. One of the actions to ensure reduction of energy use is to train the staff on how to conserve energy. As such, members of staff are required to switch off any electronic gadgets or equipment when not in use. The lights should also be switched off when not in use. House café and bar staff are especially required to ensure that electronic equipment are on switched on when in use. Electrical maintenance staff members are required to ensure the installation of the right electronic equipment that ensures the conservation of energy. They are also supposed to check that all the electronic equipment is in good condition to avoid the loss of energy. For the café and bar staff, there are new waste systems to promote better disposal of waste. The waste systems are divided in to two; there are those for the non-renewable products and those for the renewable resources. The staff must ensure that all the resource wastes are disposed as required. The use of water in these areas also has to be reduced. The staff will have to start using the new water recycling techniques in order to reduce the consumption of fresh water. All the staff responsible for maintenance are also expected to ensure minimal use of energy and water at all times. The Sydney Opera House boards of directors are expected to monitor the progress made in the achievement of environmental and social sustainability and keep the staff leaders accountable for the practices in those areas. Works cited Sydney Opera House, Corporate information, 2015, Web 10th September 2015. (http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/CorporateInformation_Summary.aspx) Sydney Opera House, Environmental sustainability policy, 2015, Web 10th September 2015. (http://d16outft0soac8.cloudfront.net/uploadedFiles/About_Us_%28new_nav%29/Sydney_Opera_House/Policies/Environmental%20Sustainability%20Policy%20Statement%202012.pdf) Spaargaren, Gert. "Sustainable consumption: a theoretical and environmental policy perspective." Society &Natural Resources 16.8 (2003): 687-701. Vicki Dunne, The potential and limitations of sustainability policy: modest proposals from Garden city, ACT Legislative Assembly, 2014. Read More