Sustainability

A green sound

To promote and implement sustainability within the organisation, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven participates in the GreenStages2020 covenant, which now includes around 30 theatres and venues, mainly from the southern, central, and western regions of the Netherlands. Since joining, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven has been actively working on this initiative and currently ranks fourth among all participating venues.

From ambition to results

Since 2021, we have been working on a multi-year sustainability programme, starting with a baseline assessment and an ambitious action plan. Since then, the organisation has made clear progress: from a score of 3.41 in the baseline assessment, to 5.32 in the first measurement and a strong 7.39 in the second measurement. With this result, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven has significantly exceeded the shared target of 6.5 within three years. Within a group of approximately 30 participating theatres and venues in the South, Central and Western Netherlands, we currently hold fourth place.

Sustainability as an integral part

The results achieved underline that sustainability is not a side issue for us, but an integral part of the organisation. Over the past years, visible improvements have been made across almost all themes — from energy and waste to procurement and mobility. A concrete example is the study into the travel behaviour of our visitors, carried out in collaboration with Brainport Bereikbaar. Based on these insights, the accessibility of bicycle parking facilities in the immediate vicinity of the venue has been improved, among other measures, and communication about sustainable travel to Muziekgebouw Eindhoven has been strengthened.

Sustainability is a shared responsibility: we actively encourage visitors to travel sustainably. Thanks to its central location, MgE is easily accessible by public transport. The train station is within walking distance, trains continue running after evening concerts, and visitors can make use of a free bicycle parking facility. By consciously choosing sustainable transport options, visitors contribute to reducing the ecological footprint and supporting a more sustainable cultural sector.

Accessible to everyone

A sustainable MgE is also an accessible MgE. For visitors with disabilities, attending a concert is not always self-evident. That is why Muziekgebouw Eindhoven actively works to remove barriers and make the concert experience possible for everyone. Visitors who rely on a wheelchair can count on proper facilities and carefully selected wheelchair spaces, allowing them to enjoy the concert to the fullest. At the same time, awareness remains essential. Accessibility is not only about physical facilities, but also about how we interact with one another. We believe it is important that everyone feels seen, heard, and welcome.

Continuing to improve: on the road to Green Key

Sustainability is an ongoing process. The positive results from our measurements are not an endpoint, but an important milestone in our development. Muziekgebouw Eindhoven continues to evolve and aims to obtain Green Key certification: the leading international quality label for sustainable organisations in the recreation and leisure sector.

To achieve this ambition, we are working on a long-term roadmap with clear and measurable objectives. Step by step, we are building a future-proof and responsible organisation.