Light Up the North is a network of festivals exhibiting artworks created through the medium of light.  The network recognises that we have an environmental and social responsibility to become more environmentally sustainable, and that this can also benefit us financially and operationally.

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact working together to create a sustainable action plan. Each festival will benchmark their activities  during 2023 to create key performance indicators against which to measure future greenhouse gas reductions. In our commissioning agreements either jointly  i.e SHINE/Co-commissions or as  individual festival commissions we ask the artist to design artworks for reuse – selecting materials or equipment which enables the artwork or its component parts to be part of the circular economy.

Artists Pledge action:

LUTN artists will:

• Use durable materials that are reusable or recyclable, compostable or biodegradable where possible, reducing the use of toxic materials that contribute to the pollution of the environment or are hazardous to human health
• Where possible/relevant, create work that can be toured to extend the lifespan of the artwork
• Source materials locally wherever possible to minimise transportation
• Conserve energy and other natural resources, such as water and minerals in the production and delivery of the artwork. Source electricity from the mains and, wherever possible, always on a renewable tariff.
• Reduce packaging and other waste in the production and delivery of the artwork and reduce / avoid printing where possible
• Use sustainable, low carbon methods for artist and artwork transport and share transport where possible
• Consider creating work that provokes debate, inspires audiences on how to live more sustainably in their day-to-day lives and share knowledge on sustainable good practice with other artists, promoters etc.
• Demonstrate to LUTN the steps they have taken to develop the commission in a sustainable way.