What is the Theatre Green Book?
The Theatre Green Book is an environmental sustainable guideline specifically designed for the performing arts sector, compiled by theatre professionals in collaboration with environmental experts.
It outlines the significance and principles of sustainable practices in theatre, along with concrete measures categorized by area of activity.
The guide consists of a General Guideline and three detailed guideline:
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Sustainable Productions
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Sustainable Buildings
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Sustainable Operations
Since its publication in the UK in 2021, it has been translated into 13 languages (as of May 2025, including Japanese Ver.) and is widely used by theatres across Europe, Asia and Australia, including the National Theatre in London.
Theatre Green Book English page is here
Toward a Sustainable Future for the Performing Arts — New Possibilities Opened by the Theatre Green Book
The performing arts have the power to inspire and connect people. That same creativity can support action on environmental issues. For theatre to be truly sustainable, the way we produce it must also change.
The Theatre Green Book offers practical guidelines for reducing environmental impact in theatre-making. Artists and organizations abroad have found it not only cuts emissions and costs but also strengthens teamwork and sparks new creativity.
In Japan, using this tool can go beyond environmental action—it can build new networks among theatres, artists, audiences, and communities. As international collaboration grows, showing a commitment to sustainability helps build trust and shared purpose.
To pass on a vibrant culture to future generations, environmental responsibility must become part of how we make and share art.
Theatre Green Book Japan Team
Image Nation Green is working to build sustainable frameworks that support everyone involved in the arts in adopting sustainable practices. Our activities are focused on three key areas:
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Promoting sustainable arts and cultural practices
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Networking and community building
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Climate literacy and the Theatre Green Book training
We began our work to introduce the Theatre Green Book in Japan out of a sense of urgency. As climate change accelerates and Japanese society starts taking action, the performing arts sector also needs practical tools for immediate and concrete steps.
Another motivation came from an experience of witnessing the disposal of a stage set. That led us to ask: "Is there really nothing I can do?"
In 2022, we began by translating the Theatre Green Book: Sustainable Production (Short Version). In 2025, we published the Japanese version of Theatre Green Book with Detailed Guidance; Sustainable Productions and Sustainable Operations. Looking ahead, we aim to develop a Japanese version of the guidelines that reflects the cultural and institutional context of theatre in Japan.
Hiroko Oshima
Representative, Image Nation Green
Set Designer & Green Production Coordinator
Natsuko Suzuki
Director, Image Nation Green
Public Relations Specialist
Image Nation Green and the Theatre Green Book: Building Global Sustainability Networks for Performing Arts
In partnership with Renew Culture, the original publisher of the Theatre Green Book, Image Nation Green promotes sustainable practices in the performing arts and strengthens networks between Japanese theatre makers and their counterparts in the UK, Asia, and other international communities.Building on this partnership, Image Nation Green is the official organization in Japan with the rights to translate and distribute the Theatre Green Book.
History
2022: The Theatre Green Book: Sustainable Productions (Short Version) was translated into Japanese. The first introductory seminar was organized by Hiroko Oshima, with Paddy Dillon, Director of Renew Culture, providing an overview of the Theatre Green Book to Japanese theatre professionals.
2023: The first Theatre Green Book seminar in the public theatre was held at KAAT (Kanagawa Arts Theatre).
2024: Image Nation Green was established and began delivering seminars to theatres and art universities across Japan. Renew Culture and Image Nation Green have formed a partnership to promote sustainability in the performing arts, including the dissemination of the Theatre Green Book.
2025: The Japanese translations of Theatre Green Book Version 2, Detailed Guidelines for Productions and Operations were released.