As experts warn that we are on track to miss crucial targets set out in the Paris Agreement, we ask - what can the arts do to implement positive change in the realm of environmental sustainability, and what can realistically be achieved? How can the sector be a vocal advocate for change whilst reducing its own footprint? And how do the long-term benefits weigh up against the initial investment in sustainable practices?

Join us for a panel discussion and Q&A with arts leaders championing the move towards sustainability as we discuss what the arts can and should be doing to become more sustainable - and how we all can play our part.

We are thrilled to announce that speakers include Catherine Bottrill, Head of Creative Green Programme at Julie’s Bicycle, Invisible Dust's Creative Producer and Development Consultant Lucy Wood and Chrissy Angus, the Lyric Hammersmith's Head of Administration who leads on sustainability.

Catherine is an expert in how organisations can reduce environmental and energy impacts. She been involved with Julie's Bicycle since its inception in 2007. Catherine is head of the Creative Green programme supporting organisations such as BRIT Awards, Lyric Hammersmith, National Theatre, Somerset House, Universal Music V&A Museum and many others embed environmental sustainability. Creative Green includes a certification scheme that last year assessed 64 festivals, museums, venues and tours. Catherine led strategic environmental research projects, including First Step: Carbon Footprint of the UK Music Industry, Moving Arts (music, theatre and orchestra touring), Jam Packed (festival audience travel) and Performing Arts Energy Benchmarking. Catherine has contributed to the development of the online IG Tools. In addition, Catherine is CEO of Pilio, an environmental sustainability software company providing energy analytics and advisory services to businesses.

Lucy is a creative producer specialising in art-science and climate change. She has over 12 years creating high-impact public engagement events and installations across the UK focusing on climate change and wider environmental issues, collaborating with artists, scientists and institutions and is currently a freelance Creative Producer and Development Consultant for a number of clients including Invisible Dust and The Arts Development Company, following her previous position as UK Director of the international environmental arts charity, Cape Farewell. In the lead-up to the Paris UN Climate Conference in 2015, Lucy managed the UK delivery of the major global festival ArtCop21, which generated 554 major cultural events, workshops and installations on climate in 54 countries, and in spring 2016 produced the P.E.A- award winning climate and food-focused 'Milking Parlour'installation in Bristol, UK. Most recently Lucy was lead producer of Under Her Eye: Women and Climate Change' Summit and Arts Festival at the British library in June 2018, headlined by booker prize winning Margaret Atwood, and helped set up the Season for Change festival for Julie’s Bicycle taking place in venues across the UK between June and December 2018. Lucy has written for various publications, including The Guardian, South Atlantic Quarterly and Run Riot.

Chrissy is the Head of Administration at the Lyric and in this post she shapes and delivers the Lyric’s work around sustainability. Chrissy has previously worked at the Gate Theatre, Pleasance, in both London and Edinburgh, and at the Bush Theatre.

Doors will open at 6:45pm and the event will be followed by our usual networking drinks.