Sustainability
Make a sustainable choice by hosting your event at the National Theatre
At the National Theatre, sustainability is built into the fabric of everything we do, from how we make theatre to how we host events. Our South Bank home is not only a landmark of London’s cultural life but also a space committed to environmental responsibility.
When you choose to host your event at the National Theatre, you are making a more sustainable choice. We have significantly reduced our carbon footprint in recent years, switching to a zero-carbon electricity tariff, eliminating most single-use plastic from our cafés and bars, and working with local suppliers to reduce food miles across all our catering. All permanent lighting is LED and locally controlled, ensuring energy is only used when needed.
Building design
Across the building, thermal insulation helps reduce heat loss in colder months, while many of our event spaces are temperature-controlled through underfloor heating linked to our efficient combined heat and power system.
In the Buffini Chao Deck, natural ventilation plays a key role, with fresh air drawn through the building and circulated using low-energy ceiling fans. Glazing throughout the building is treated to deflect sunlight and minimise heat gain during summer, reducing the need for mechanical cooling.
Food and drink
Our approach to food and drink is equally considered. Menus are built around a minimum of 80 per cent British seasonal fruit and vegetables, with high-welfare British poultry and pork, and sustainably sourced fish.
We are working towards a 50 per cent reduction in beef consumption, offering lower-carbon alternatives like venison, and we take a plant-forward approach to menu design, with at least 30 per cent of our offering now plant-based. It is all part of delivering food and service that reflect the National Theatre’s wider sustainability goals.
Our ambition
We are aligned with the National Theatre’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030 and are currently working towards the Green Meetings Standard – a robust framework built on UN Sustainable Development Goals, setting high benchmarks for truly responsible events.
With multiple versatile spaces available to hire, from riverfront terraces to intimate meeting rooms and rehearsal studios, the National Theatre is an inspired setting for your next event and a step towards a greener future.