FUTURE FIT
For several years now, SZENE has been working intensively on the various aspects of environmental, economic and social sustainability in the events sector. Since 2021, all festivals have been organised as ‘Green Events’; this initiative by the Ministry of the Environment, in cooperation with the Province of Salzburg, supports organisers in, for example, using resources more consciously, reducing environmental impact and taking regional economic cycles into account.
In 2026, SZENE (theatre auditorium, theatre office and studio) was awarded the prestigious Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism and Leisure on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate Action, Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management. This builds on key milestones in our ongoing commitment to sustainability and creates valuable synergies for the further development of ecological and sustainable practices.
In spring 2024, SZENE completed an assessment process based on the criteria of the Economy for the Common Good (ECG). The ECG is an economic model that aims to enable “a good life for all on a healthy planet.” Corporate objectives are intended to focus on responsible business practices and be guided by values such as human dignity, social justice, ecological sustainability, and participation. With the EmpCo Directive, the EU has since established new standards for sustainability communication. As a result, ECG assessments are now obsolete in their current form and are currently being adapted to the new requirements.
In addition, SZENE has begun implementing an internal sustainability management system in its day-to-day operations. Three workshops were held to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Following an initial materiality assessment, a structured system for recording resource consumption was also introduced.
These activities were complemented by an energy consultation. This identified potential savings in both electricity and heating—two key factors in the resource consumption of a theatre.