Environmental Responsibility
Working Differently: Ecological Transformation
Ecological transformation invites us to rethink our practices at every level: artistic, technical, logistical and relational. It means embracing the responsibilities of a cultural institution while recognising the particular constraints of artistic creation. This comprehensive approach is built around four complementary priorities: informing, measuring, mobilising and transforming.
Staying Informed
In 2024, the Sustainable Workshop organised a Sustainability Day involving staff across the organisation.
82 % of employees took part in training sessions or information events focusing on the challenges of ecological transition, with contributions from 23 speakers and a choice of 10 workshops.
"This particularly well-designed educational game helps structure our thinking, deepen our knowledge, raise awareness, highlight opportunities for action and encourage discussion among participants."
In 2025, the Sustainable Workshop partnered with the Atelier Dynamo association to offer staff bicycle maintenance and repair workshops. An organic waste recycling scheme was also introduced following training provided by the Greater Nancy Metropolitan Area's composting specialist.
Measuring Our Impact
The Opera is involved in several collective initiatives aimed at better understanding and quantifying its environmental impact. It has played an active role in the Steering Committee led by the Association Française des Orchestres, the Réunion des Opéras de France, the Direction Générale de la Création Artistique and BL Evolution to develop a shared carbon-assessment tool for opera houses and symphony organisations.
In 2024, the Opera carried out its first environmental impact assessment:
1,657 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the average annual emissions of 184 French citizens.
This assessment helps identify the most effective areas for action and establish ambitious yet realistic pathways for change.
Mobilising People
Convinced that meaningful change comes through dialogue, the Opera develops formats that encourage the exchange of ideas. In 2025, the Sustainable Workshop invited researchers to share the stage with the Orchestra in a format that gives an artistic dimension to the communication of scientific knowledge. Most recently, Daniel Suchet explored the principles of scientific methodology through the worlds of Star Wars and Dune.
Transforming Practices
Meaningful change happens over time, through practical decisions and collective effort. Four major areas of work are currently underway.
- Audience mobility: encouraging sustainable travel, improving the geographical and scheduling accessibility of performances, and developing car-sharing initiatives.
- Buildings and energy use: optimising facilities, improving energy efficiency and undertaking gradual renovation work. In 2025, additional insulation work was completed and an electric vehicle joined the Opera's fleet.
- Production processes (sets, costumes and props): promoting reuse, resource-sharing and responsible sourcing. In 2026, the Opera pioneered the transport of the sets for Les Incrédules by rail freight, an initiative praised both for its logistical efficiency and for its carbon footprint, which was significantly lower than that of road transport.
- Internal operations: project governance, day-to-day logistics and procurement policy. Since March 2025, a Corporate Social Responsibility clause has been included in all of the Opera's public procurement contracts.
This work is led by an internal Sustainable Workshop, a forum for reflection, innovation and experimentation. The Opera is also an active member of several networks engaged in these issues, including ARVIVA, Réditec, ROF, AFO and Opera Europa.
In 2025, the Opera renewed its Innovative Sustainable Destination label, contributed to the ARVIVA Meetings and established a partnership with the Benne Idée recycling centre.