Julie's Bicycle BFI Sustainable Screen Resource Hub

Key questions

Where can you make changes directly to protect and/or make more space for nature and where do you need to work with others to make or influence change?
This will depend on where you operate from (e.g. your own venue or building, a rented or shared office or building) and where your activities or events take place (e.g. other venues or outdoor spaces).
Are there any specific flora, fauna, green or protected spaces or species in or around your building(s) or event location(s)?
What type of measures are you required to or can you take to protect nature e.g. reducing noise, light, soil or air pollution or make more space for nature?
Where can you make changes directly to conserve water and avoid water pollution and where do you need to work with others to make or influence change?
How much water do you use, when and for what?
What can you do to reduce your water use?
How much wastewater do you generate and where is there a risk of water pollution?
What can you do to reuse or recycle waste water or grey water and avoid water pollution?
What can you do to push for change with others on protecting or making more space for nature and on conserving water and avoiding water pollution?

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Protect nature and make more space for nature. Conserve water and keep it clean.

Top Tips
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Find out what sensitive or protected flora and fauna, wildlife, species, habitats etc. are in, on or around your building, festival or event location(s) - e.g. undertake an ecological survey or contact local nature conservation organisations - and what measures are needed to protect them.

Take appropriate nature protection measures, e.g. minimise noise and light pollution which could disturb wildlife, ban the use of toxic or hazardous materials or substances that could harm plant life, wild life, habitats or ecosystems.

Create new green or blue spaces such as living walls, window boxes, wildflower verges or ponds which benefit plant and wildlife.

Provide more space for wildlife, e.g. install bat boxes, bird boxes or bee hives.

Get involved in local nature conservation projects and local wildlife trusts, charities or groups on nature conservation and local biodiversity initiatives.

Find out how much water you use (when, where and for what), e.g. check water bills against water meters, carry out a site survey, install sub-meters.

Carry out regular preventative maintenance and repair of storage tanks, pipes, taps, etc. to avoid leaks.

Install water saving and efficiency equipment such as aerated taps or waterless toilets.

Find out where, how much and what type of wastewater is generated.

Reuse and recycle water, e.g. install water butts or rainwater harvesting, use rainwater and water from washing facilities (grey water) for flushing or irrigation.

Identify areas of potential risk of water pollution, e.g. storage and disposal of paints and chemicals or cooking oil, and put pollution prevention measures in place.

Nature & Water

Resources

Julie's Bicycle - Creative Spaces for Nature: Biodiversity, Habitats and Ecosystems

Guide

This guide, developed under Arts Council England's Environmental Programme, highlights the ways in which the creative sector can respond to the biodiversity crisis, with a focus on green infrastructure, single-use plastics, and moving away from unsustainable sources such as palm oil, and includes case studies of successes and ongoing challenges from across the UK and global creative and cultural sector.

Waterwise Saving Water guidance

Website

This webpage provides an overview of the type of measures homes and businesses can take to reduce water use, and includes links to other sources of information including the Waterwise guide for offices.

Find out more

Creative Carbon Scotland - Guide to water use

Guide

This guide outlines why water conservation is important, and outlines the different ways you can get to know how much you're using and how to reduce it.

Find out more

Image looking upwards at a ceiling with colour stain glass dome

Julie's Bicycle - Water Management in Buildings

Guide

This guide aims to help building managers understand water use, develop a plan to reduce water use and avoid water pollution.

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People performing outdoors at Seachange Arts

Julie's Bicycle - Water Management at Outdoor Events

Guide

This guide is for organisers of outdoor events and provides an overview of the practical steps you can take – pre-event, during the event and after the event – to understand water use, reduce water use, responsibly manage waste water and avoid water pollution.

Find out more