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Green Week 2026: Celebrating sustainability at the Royal College of Music

Monday 16 March 2026

The Royal College of Music (RCM) is celebrating sustainability through its annual Green Week from 16 to 22 March 2026, highlighting the College’s work towards a sustainable future.  

The RCM is committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices, having recently been ranked the top UK conservatoire for environmental and ethical performance in People & Planet’s University League Table. The College has set an ambitious target to achieve net zero carbon by 2040, and so far, has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from heating and electricity by 77% since 2005.  

Aida Berhamovic, Director of Estates, said: ‘I am pleased that the Royal College of Music has once again secured its spot as the top conservatoire in the People and Planet league table. We are proud of this accomplishment which highlights our continuous commitment to environmental and social sustainability. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our staff, students, and the whole community, all of whom actively participate in sustainability efforts at the RCM.’ 

The RCM has undertaken a range of decarbonisation projects across its estate. Over summer 2025, voltage optimisation equipment was installed to reduce energy consumption across the campus and protect electrical systems. In the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, the RCM’s largest venue, the chandelier lighting has been upgraded with dimmable LED bulbs, reducing electricity consumption by 80%. A point-of-use hot water project continues, using local electrical heaters to supply hot water through low-carbon electricity sources, rather than non-renewable gas.  

Royal College of Music Green Week is an annual event promoting sustainability at the College and encouraging both staff and students to get involved through different activities, ranging from practical tips for living more sustainably to incorporating environmental themes into music-making. This year’s plans include: 

  • An improvisation session inspired by a range of natural sounds and images 
  • Upcycling old t-shirts into a one-of-a-kind tote bag 
  • Inviting staff and students to get outside in a ‘Gardening for Wellbeing’ session 
  • A nature-inspired concert featuring music for solo piano and voice 
  • Free bicycle maintenance for staff and students 
  • An online event with artist, poet, choreographer and collaborator Clare Whistler exploring her eco-projects and site-specific work 
  • A Q&A session with the RCM’s Estates team to share ideas about sustainability projects 
  • A Green Week playlist on Spotify curated by the RCM Students’ Union, filled with songs inspired by nature 

Leila Hooton, President of the RCM Students’ Union, said: ‘Sustainability is very important to the Students’ Union and we are looking forward to the College's Green Week. To celebrate Green Week 2026, the Students’ Union have compiled a playlist of our favourite nature-related music which we will hope will spark our students to think carefully about the environment.' 

Get involved by following Green Week updates on Instagram and use the #RCMGreenWeek to share your sustainable actions.