Environmental Statement

Environmental Responsibility Statement

Moving Souls Dance Company acknowledges a responsibility for, and a commitment to, sustainability and the protection of the environment. We are committed to minimising our environmental impact, reducing our carbon footprint and sharing our learning with others.

To achieve our environmental objectives, we will:

  1. Monitor our consumption and use of energy, water and waste output and take steps to reduce the carbon footprint of our controllable office outputs. We will work to share with partners our ideas for carbon reduction during our programmes and projects and support partners in their plans.
  2. Minimise the carbon footprint of the regional, national and international travel undertaken by the team by using online communications or public transport wherever possible.
  3. Measure the carbon footprint when making new projects, setting up artist in residence projects for Artful Migration, performance and participatory activities by collecting information about audience and participant travel, keeping data about our travel and accommodation for freelancers and core staff. Recycled materials will be encouraged for use in sets, costumes and projects where possible.
  4. Raise awareness with the delivery team, Directors and artists of the steps we need to take to reduce our carbon footprint, by sharing data, learning and monitoring our action plan.
  5. Use and work with environmentally friendly suppliers and communicate our carbon reduction actions and policy to suppliers and customers.
  6. Research and implement ways to reduce our digital carbon footprint – research action 24-25.

We are committed to working with our Board of Directors, employees, freelancers, artists, partners, suppliers, funders and our external stakeholders to ensure that we understand and communicate the environmental impacts of our activities.

This statement and Action Plan will be monitored annually. The policy will be reviewed every three years by Moving Souls Dance.

Responsibility

  • Virginia Wollaston (MSD Director) will be responsible for data collection, collation and presentation.
  • Linda Saunders (MSD Director) will act as a champion and bring awareness of the wider sector to our discussions.
  • All members of MSD will share responsibility for reducing their individual and the company carbon emissions.
  • MSD will seek to partner with Higher Education departments who can assist with research, gathering data and providing scientific evidence to a campaign for change

Position Statement and context July 2025

The world is getting warmer. 2024 was 0.72°C warmer than the 1991–2020 average, and 1.60°C warmer than the pre-industrial level, making it the first calendar year to exceed 1.5°C above that level. The World Meteorological Organisation stated that 2024 was the warmest year on record. Carbon Brief’s projection suggests that 2025 is virtually certain to be one of the top-three warmest years, with a best-estimate approximately equal to global temperatures in 2023: https://www.carbonbrief.org/state-of-the-climate-2025-close-behind-2024-as-the-hottest-start-to-a-year/

Like other greenhouse gases, CO2 acts like a blanket, trapping heat and warming the lower atmosphere.  This changes weather patterns and fuels extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires, as well as heavier precipitation and flooding. Rising CO2 levels also contribute to ocean acidification, a change in ocean chemistry that makes it more difficult for marine organisms like crustaceans, bivalves and coral to grow hard, carbonate skeletons or shells. The last time the atmosphere contained as much CO2 as it does now, according to WIRED, was more than three million years ago, when sea levels were much higher and trees grew on the South Pole.

For the first time, the seasonal peak of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere exceeded 430 parts per million (ppm) at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii. Scientists from NOAA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography calculated a May monthly average of 430.2 ppm for 2025, an increase of 3.5 ppm over May 2024’s measurement of 426.7 ppm.

In June 2025 The United Nations Ocean Conference concluded with more than 170 countries adopting an intergovernmentally agreed declaration committing to urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action calls for concrete steps to expand marine protected areas, decarbonize maritime transport, combat marine pollution, and mobilize finance for vulnerable coastal and island nations, among others.

The declaration – together with bold voluntary commitments by States and other entities – constitutes the Nice Ocean Action Plan commits all signatories to take urgent action: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2025/06/closing-press-release-2025-unoc/

Humans are the cause. According to 350.org, rising temperatures correlate almost exactly with the release of greenhouse gases. It is not a coincidence. Climate change affects people and communities disproportionately. Marginalised groups and vulnerable people are more likely to experience the impacts of climate change – and they are less likely to impact decision-making around climate change.

MSD is aligned with the international Quaker body Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) that agreed a minute in 2016 entitled: Living sustainably and sustaining Life on Earth (https://quakersandclimatechange.com/2016/08/30/fwcc-sustainability-minute/)

Our faith as Quakers is inseparable from our care for the health of our planet Earth. We see that our misuse of the Earth’s resources creates inequality, destroys community, affects health and well-being, leads to war and erodes our integrity. We are all responsible for stewardship of our natural world. We love this world as God’s gift to us all. Our hearts are crying for our beloved mother Earth, who is sick and in need of our care.

We seek to nurture a global human society that prioritizes the well-being of people over profit, and lives in right relationship with our Earth; a peaceful world with fulfilling employment, clean air and water, renewable energy, and healthy thriving communities and ecosystems. (https://quakersandclimatechange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/quaker-statement-on-climate-change-march-2016.pdf)

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) with whom we partner reports:

Climate change is known to influence and change bird migration patterns, potentially adding extra pressures to already-risky journeys. Habitats may change, with vital in stop-over sites becoming less suitable, and  hostile areas growing larger. If the projected changes in global circulation systems and wind patterns occur, they are likely to make these journeys even harder.

Migrant birds also need suitable conditions to thrive at the locations at either end of the migration journey. Breeding grounds are where birds are able to replenish and boost their numbers. 

Nature conservation and nature-friendly land and sea management are vital to enable birds to meet the challenges they face now and in the future.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-we-do/influence-government-and-business/nature-and-climate-emergency/nature-and-climate-change#impacts-on-bird-migration

The art world has an important role to play. Arts organisations – particularly in the Global North – can have a disproportionately large impact on the environment, mainly due to a great deal of international travel, single use arts materials for sets and design and a high use of energy and materials. MSD with their selection of partners will work to reduce these impacts, collect data about this reduction and share in the projects what the science is telling us about our climate challenges.

 

MSD Arts programme linked to environmental issues:

MSD has a track record and a role within the Artful Migration programme since 2018 which highlights the challenges of climate change and its impact on bird migration and loss of biodiversity and degradation of local habitats. MSD has managed three artists in residence programmes in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, hosted with local partners (WWT, NTS Threave and FLS) in partnership with Upland, RSPB and Forest Land Scotland. It is currently in partnership with the UNESCO Biosphere in Dumfries and Galloway with an ongoing participatory artist residency and will  recruit for a new artist in residence programme for September 2025-6, completing with a Conference.

MSD is committed to research and deliver a new Artful Migration programme in the Midlands focusing on bird migration routes along the Rivers Severn and Avon and investigate the water cleanliness, the wetlands and the wildlife along this route. In partnership with Talking Birds (NPO, Coventry) this programme will run over two years to raise awareness of the current poor state of the River Severn.

MSD intends to find partners and artists who will ‘articulate the voice and story of the river’ as it is now. The River Severn Trust articulates ‘ sewage, nutrient, chemical and plastic pollution ravage our rivers, poisoning our fresh water and decimating wildlife.’ We want this programme to assist in the campaign to make a healthy resilient River Severn for everyone.

 

MSD advocates for awareness of the climate challenge in the visibility, creative process and practice of contemporary artists across dance, visual and performance arts. It delivers this through projects and programmes in collaboration with other partners.

MSD has deep roots in Dudley, the Black Country and Birmingham. MSD is a powerful force connecting diasporic diverse communities, celebrating cultural heritage and artistic participatory activity with community engagement. MSD delivers Artful Migration in Scotland with Upland and through delivery of projects in partnership with other landowners and conservation organisations. This strand of work will be brought to The Midlands for the first time in 2025-6.

Our impact on the environment

We are a small company with a team of 3 CiC Directors, freelancers, volunteers and artists recruited for specific roles within projects and programmes

We impact on the environment in the following ways:

Administration, office use and off-site storage:

  • Controllable activity – use of email, printing, encouraging re-usable resources, care and maintenance of equipment, monitoring our energy, water use and waste production, using local suppliers.
  • Activity we can influence – supporting and complying with WAG in their environmental plans, making suggestions to Building Team.

Travel:

  • Controllable activity – international, national and regional travel – use of least carbon heavy modes of transport as a first option e.g. tram, train, public transport; car sharing when possible; avoiding travel by using online platforms.
  • Activity we can influence – touring locations; sharing cars with other partners when used; encouraging artists to use energy efficient means of travel; ensuring audiences and participants are aware of the full range of travel options.

Programming and curation of activity:

  • Controllable activity – ensure we have considered environmental impacts during planning; re-use of resources; recyclable resources including costumes; informing artists/partners about good practice in carbon reduction; developing green rider for any touring.
  • Activity we can influence – receiving venues and energy use; waste management at receiving venues; encouraging recycling and re-use by artists and partners in relation to our activities; sharing our approach to environmental responsibility with community artists.

Our digital footprint:

  • Controllable activity – explore green web hosting; disable auto-play; manage size of cloud storage; properly dispose of obsolete devices; download rewatchable content; streamline in boxes; switch off equipment overnight; send fewer emails.
  • Activity we can influence – messaging email recipients about carbon footprint.

Suppliers:

  • Controllable activity: avoiding single use items (e.g. catering); using plant-based items when we cannot avoid single use; using local suppliers for catering; meat free catering.
  • Activity we can influence – requesting environmental policies for contracts;

Fundraising:

  • Controllable activity – include commitment to environmental sustainability in Ethical Fundraising Policy.

Data

Our Environmental Policy and Action Plan is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the ambition to achieve net zero by 2030.

We need data to set targets. 2025-26 will be our first year and will give us a baseline. Comparative benchmarks from Julie’s Bicycle are available for offices and outdoor activity. Our office data is not meaningful (as MSD is based in a home with minimal light/heat and travel).

Action Plan

MSD commitments 2025-6

  • Virginia Wollaston (VW) to take on leadership of Environmental Responsibility and revise ESG Plan for 2025 – 8 in consultation with MSD Directors
  • MSD Directors to act as a sounding board for VW; be prepared to research good practice and discuss with / share with Talking Birds as future partner
  • Commit to collecting data using Julie’s Bicycle templates to understand our impact.
  • Develop an Environmental Responsibility Policy with MSD Directors

Action Plan Priorities

As a small organisation, our focus should be on those areas we can control or influence.

By 2026, success for MSD will be:

  • an organisation with a reducing carbon footprint
  • with systems to collect, collate, analyse and report data
  • continually researching and implementing good practice
  • with a rolling 3-year plan with targets to achieve this
  • devise a green rider in contracts and share good practice through our talent development

 

Future Targets and Principle Actions 2025-26

Create a template plan with baseline data for 2025-6 to reduce MSD carbon footprint. Gather data and research from Julie’s Bicycle on which the next 3 years can be based Q4 Work with Management Consultant to refine Impact Report and Julie’s Bicycle for capturing data
Reduce environmental footprint for working with Carnival costume and dance activities in outdoor arts with ACE dance and music Q3 – 4 MSD Director
Work with Talking Birds to monitor and reduce carbon footprint of Artful Migration programme over 2 years Q4 and over 2026 MSD Director and CEO Talking Birds

 

Professional development

Opportunities for Assistant Producers to increase knowledge of environmental responsibility.

 

Appendix 1

Quaker Actions recommended from FWCC 2016 meeting include the following actions:

Individuals can:

  1. Dedicate personal time to nature.
  2. Reduce consumption and use your consumer buying power to create change.
  3. Cut down on meat consumption, be aware of energy costs in production and transport of all foods and methane from ruminant animals, support sustainable agriculture.
  4. Travel – cycle, walk, use public transport or alternatives to private cars, keep air travel to a minimum.
  5. Grow your own food and plant trees.
  6. Be politically active in promoting sustainability concerns.
  7. Share environmental concerns through books, publications, conversations, electronic media
  8. Reduce energy use.
  9. Use less water and harvest water.
  10. Make time for spiritual connection with God.

Monthly Meetings, Worship Groups and small groups within Meetings can:

  1. Live in a community, share housing, participate in a transition town movement.
  2. Educate yourself and others.
  3. Share transport and equipment.
  4. Develop urban agriculture, community gardens, community supported agriculture, tree planting.
  5. Love nature and encourage others to do so: we protect the things we love; get children out in nature; take care of nature around your meeting house (e.g., picking up trash/litter).
  6. Invest ethically and divest from fossil fuels.
  7. Ensure meeting houses are carbon neutral.
  8. Build alliances, seek visibility, approach legislators.
  9. Share sustainability skills.

Yearly Meetings can:

  1. Support the sustainability actions of Monthly Meetings.
  2. Build solidarity with local people.
  3. Support Quakers in politics and international work.
  4. Form support networks and alliances to make more impact – we can only do so much on our own.
  5. Invest ethically, including on sustainability issues.
  6. Practice what we preach.
  7. Discern and move concerns to action.
  8. Set targets for increased sustainability.
  9. Connect and share with other YMs, direct or via FWCC Sections and World Office

 

We recognise that different actions may relate to Quaker meetings in different parts of the world.

 

 

Guide to Digital Responsibility

The context

Recent studies have established that a normal email without an attachment is responsible for 10g (grams) CO2e (Carbon dioxide equivalent) – about the same amount as a plastic bag and that the amount is doubled by adding a one-megabyte attachment.

Another study learnt that if every email user in the UK were to send one fewer email per day, it would lead to a total annual reduction of 16,433 metric tons CO2e – the equivalent of 81,152 flights between London Heathrow and Madrid.

All digital data needs to be stored somewhere and we need power to operate our electrical devices and the Wi-Fi – this all consumes energy.

8 simple actions to reduce our digital carbon footprint

  1. Send links to files instead of attachments (like Cloud sharing).
  2. Design posters into the body of the email and not add as an attachment.
  3. Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read.
  4. Reduce email size by compressing images and avoiding large HTML elements.
  5. Regularly update mailing lists, so no messages are sent to invalid addresses.
  6. Delete old, unnecessary emails from custom folders.
  7. Empty Trash and Spam folders regularly.
  8. Turn off social media and email notifications.