01 Introduction
Memoire Ce Soir CIO is a community-driven not-for-profit event platform exploring the undefined edges of the electronic spectrum and beyond, with a deep commitment to sustainable thinking. We curate cross-medium experiences through events, workshops, publications and collaborative projects, fostering the fringes of culture and artistic experimentation.
Our focus lies in live performances and audio-visual explorations that provoke critical thinking and push creative boundaries. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, from minimising environmental impact to supporting local talent and promoting inclusivity.
This document highlights where our sustainability values stand and analyses our steps in order to achieve them. As at the time of this report Memoire Ce Soir is still in early conception and not much data can be collected from running the organisation; this document focuses on our criteria and sets a foundation for future activities.
First of all, we think it’s really important to address the elephant in the room: running any kind of activities that involves artist travel, event production and AV performances and sustainability don’t go hand in hand. We must admit that we will emit emissions with this organisation and there are things we can’t avoid. Our goal isn’t to be net zero or carbon neutral; our goal is to be fully aware of the ecological consequences of each decision and try our best to mitigate them and reduce them as much as possible while teaching others and learning ourselves as we go.
02 Methodology
Our sustainability policy will focus on collecting and analysing data about our carbon emissions using the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol). Much of our practice and research is thanks to the not-for-profit organisation A Greener Future (AGF), which has been a backbone of event sustainability worldwide since 2005.
During our first year we will create our own frameworks and data collection system to help us understand and improve our impact. At the end of each year we will publish these reports with our comments and thoughts on how to improve them.
The GHG Protocol
The carbon emission calculations will use the GHG Protocol, a collaboration between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), endorsed by numerous governments, international organisations and industry associations.
The protocol system divides sources of GHGs into three main emissions categories:
Scope 1Direct emissions from sources controlled directly by Memoire Ce Soir, such as hiring and running generators, our own vehicle and/or transport, production and set design.
Scope 2Indirect emissions from energy usage, such as electricity used from the national grid.
Scope 3Indirect emissions resulting from activities we can’t control, such as audience travel, emissions from food and drinks, and product disposal.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the largest share of the carbon footprint of event production falls under the category of emissions that we can’t control (Scope 3). Our mission is to reduce this by partnering with local suppliers who prioritise sustainability, using circular models (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and encouraging audiences to undertake specific actions when taking part in our activities.
03 Our strategy for greener travel
Travel for both artists and our audience will represent our largest carbon footprint. Here is how we plan to analyse and mitigate our impact as much as possible.
Artist Travel (Scope 1)
Our primary mission is to book local talent. By prioritising artists in our immediate area, we drastically cut down on travel emissions from the start. For local bookings, we require artists to use low-emission transport like trains, public transport or electric vehicles.
When we look further afield, our criteria for international artists include:
- Accessible Routes: Prioritising those who can reach us easily by train or boat.
- Tour Alignment: If we host artists from outside Europe, we will focus on those already touring nearby. This avoids “one-off” long-haul flights and ensures their travel is as efficient as possible.
Audience Travel (Scope 3)
Most of our audience’s impact comes from getting to and from the venue. For our first year, we are focusing on London-based events, where the majority of attendees already use the existing public transport network.
To go a step further, we’re encouraging “active travel” by:
- Partnering with local cycling clubs.
- Offering ticket discounts or perks for those who arrive by bike.
Beyond the City
If we host events outside of London, location accessibility becomes our top priority. We will only select venues well-served by public transport. In cases where transport is limited, we will organise communal shuttle services to discourage the use of single-occupancy cars.
04 Refuse, Reuse, Recycle
We strongly believe in a circular model when it comes to single-use materials and decorations. Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with local organisations and production companies that share our values and vision for a greener future.
It’s really important to us to follow the “Refuse, Reuse, Recycle” model whenever possible. We are excited to collaborate with local experts and reuse networks like Restage, Recollective, Remade in Park Royal and Renee Materials to keep materials in circulation and out of the bin.
The main benefits of following a circular economy are substantial:
Energy ConservationLess energy is consumed when products are used multiple times or repurposed.
Avoided EmissionsThe emissions associated with extracting and processing new materials are avoided.
Resource PreservationReusing items reduces the need to extract finite natural materials like timber, water and minerals.
Waste ReductionLess material is sent to landfill.
The answer to more sustainable set design is clear: get circular!
05 Rethinking the bar: a conscious approach to drinks
In our pursuit of a circular economy, we’re looking closely at our food and beverage strategy to cut out hidden waste. Let’s be honest: traditional bar service can be pretty heavy on the planet, usually involving mountains of single-use glass and high “transport weight” from moving heavy bottles across the country.
To stay true to our commitment to reducing Scope 3 emissions, we’re focusing on low-intervention, large-batch solutions that keep things simple and sustainable.
Why Pre-Made Makes Sense
For our events, we’re teaming up with local London makers who specialise in pre-made options and sustainable draught systems. It helps us shrink our footprint in some really important ways:
Lighter TravelBy using large-batch containers or reusable kegs, we ditch the need for hundreds of glass bottles. This can cut the carbon emissions from transporting our drinks by up to 80% per litre.
Zero WasteBecause these are perfectly balanced at the source, we don’t end up with “bar waste” like half-squeezed limes or unfinished mixers that get poured away.
Saving ResourcesChilling one big batch or a keg is much more energy-efficient than cooling dozens of individual bottles, and it requires way less ice.
Circular Partnerships
We’re not just looking for suppliers; we’re looking for partners who vibe with our values. We prioritise local legends who source in bulk to minimise packaging and operate on a refill basis, ensuring containers are cleaned and put back into the loop rather than just thrown in the bin.
For us, it’s about proving that you can have a high-quality experience without the heavy ecological price tag. By choosing smart, local collaborations, we’re keeping our impact as light as possible.
06 Closing thoughts
As Memoire Ce Soir is still in its early conception, this document serves primarily to lay the foundation of our sustainability values. We view this as a continuous journey of learning, unlearning, experimenting and reimagining. It is an exercise in collective thinking, designed to challenge today’s socio-environmental status quo and explore how we can “step up” both as individuals and as a community.
We recognise that we do not have all the answers. Therefore, we warmly welcome feedback and collaboration. If you know of someone whose expertise or vision aligns with ours, please reach out. We believe the path to a sustainable creative future is one we must build together.
