Green Week 2025: a spotlight on sustainability at the Royal College of Music
Friday 14 February 2025
Royal College of Music (RCM) Green Week takes place from 17 to 23 February 2025, showcasing the College’s dedication to environmental sustainability and encouraging students and staff to take action towards a greener future.
The Royal College of Music was recently ranked the top performing conservatoire in the 2024/25 People and Planet University League table, also placing among the top 10 universities in London.
Aida Berhamovic, Director of Estates, commented: ‘We are incredibly proud of this achievement in the People and Planet University League table and I’m grateful to all staff, students and members of our wider community who continue to support sustainability initiatives at the Royal College of Music. With an expanded programme of events this year, Green Week is a wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate these achievements and consider how we can continue to do our bit to live sustainably, both individually and as a College.’
Over the past year the Royal College of Music has made significant strides in improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation and is on track to reach the ambitious goal of becoming carbon net zero by 2035. Recent initiatives include installing point-of-use water heating in the South Building and upgrading lighting controls in the Britten Theatre to improve efficiency and support the transition to LED fixtures, with the old dimmer rack donated for reuse. Plans are underway to install voltage optimisation equipment, improving energy efficiency and extending the lifespan of electrical equipment. Meanwhile, collaboration with neighbouring institutions continues, highlighted by the College’s recent signing of the South Ken Zen+ Supply Chain Charter, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable procurement.
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The annual Royal College of Music Green Week is a chance for all staff and students to deepen their understanding of sustainable practices and be inspired to take meaningful action. Green Week 2025 will feature a range of activities designed to promote sustainable living and creativity, including:
• An exploration of eco-music and how musical talents can be used to express the fragility of the natural world
• Nature walk-shop exploring nature refuges around South Kensington
• Free bicycle maintenance for staff and students
• Book swap to give pre-loved books a new life
• A drop-in opportunity to share ideas with the RCM’s Director of Estates
• A planting workshop run by the Students’ Union
• Forest bathing, the Japanese art that encourages relaxation and mindfulness
• Offer of free ingredients for students from the Students’ Union to encourage plant-based meals
Leila Hooton, President of the Royal College of Music Students’ Union, said: ‘With the effects of climate change becoming ever more present, the RCM student body care deeply about increasing sustainability and decreasing carbon emissions. We are proud to be studying at the top conservatoire for sustainability in the People and Planet League but we are also aware there is still more upon which to improve. Green week is a great opportunity for the RCM Students’ Union to educate students about, and encourage, sustainable practices such as cooking with sustainable ingredients or choosing green modes of transport.'
Join the Royal College of Music Green Week by learning more about eco-music and how we make it on Tuesday 18 February or exploring musical legends and tales on Thursday 20 February. On the programme is Gabriela Ortiz's Kauyumari which represents a blue deer, a Mexican spirit guide that reminds listeners of their role as guardians of the planet.
If you would like to get in touch with the Estates team with a suggestion or query, please contact sustainableRCM@rcm.ac.uk.
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