From collaboration to action: Sustainable audience travel in Edinburgh

Culture brings people together and plays a vital role in the life of Edinburgh, but every cultural experience begins with a journey. How audiences and participants travel to and from cultural events is a significant part of the sector’s environmental impact, and creating more sustainable ways to travel requires action across the city.

Earlier this year, Culture for Climate Scotland, with support from City of Edinburgh Council, hosted an initial collaborative session bringing together arts and cultural organisations, transport providers and city planners to explore the challenges and opportunities around sustainable audience travel in Edinburgh. The session provided a space to share experiences, understand the barriers to change and identify where greater collaboration could make a difference.

This follow-up event builds on that first session, taking the conversation from collaboration to action. We will revisit the key themes and priorities that emerged, share learning and explore what practical steps can now be taken to support more sustainable audience travel.

Through a presentation from City of Edinburgh Council, progress updates from returning cultural organisations and interactive group activities, participants will work together to identify practical solutions, opportunities for collaboration and actions that can be taken forward across sectors.

The session will aim to build on the momentum of the first event and develop clear next steps towards making sustainable audience travel more achievable across Edinburgh.

This free in-person event will take place on Monday 16 November in the West Drawing Room at Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR.

Programme 

10am – Arrive 
10.15am – Introduction from Culture for Climate Scotland 
10.30am – Presentation and progress update
11.00am – Open Q&A with the panel 
11.15am – Coffee break 
11.30am – Discussions in small groups exploring collaborative solutions 
12.00pm – Sharing and discussion 
12.30pm – Close   

Who should attend 

• Cultural organisations based in Edinburgh 
• Public transport providers and professionals 
• Local authority officers and policymakers 
• Tourism and accommodation bodies
• Funders, planners, not-for-profits and advocacy groups working across culture, transport and climate 

Accessibility

The Assembly Rooms are a short distance from local bus and tram stops and Edinburgh Waverley station. There is metered on-street parking along George Street and in the surrounding streets. Accessible parking is available in front of the building and on George Street if required.

Access to The Assembly Rooms is flat with no steps. This event will take place in the West Drawing Room on the first floor, which can be accessed either by stairs or a lift. Further information about the venue’s accessibility can be found on the Assembly Rooms website.

Do you need support to attend?

Culture for Climate Scotland (CCS) is committed to ensuring that our events are accessible for everyone, regardless of their disability, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, economic status or caring responsibility.

We will make any necessary adjustments to our events so that no one is excluded. These adjustments will, most likely, differ from event-to-event and person-to-person, so we need your help to get it right. In the past, we have provided quiet spaces, British Sign Language interpreters and internet dongles for portable internet access. We always provide access packs including ear defenders, sensory supports and reading overlays at in-person events.

Some adjustments may take more time to arrange than others, so we appreciate you giving us as much notice as possible about what you need so that we can support you to get the most out of this event. 

Please inform us of your accessibility requirements for this event during the registration process. If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to sana.azeem@cultureforclimate.scot or telephone +44 (0)131 243 2760 and speak to a member of CCS staff.