Sustainability

Norwich Science Festival is presented by The Forum, and we align our sustainability efforts with The Forum Trust’s wider sustainability policy.  

We recognise that running a large public event has an impact on the environment, but we’re committed to understanding that impact and taking active steps to reduce it.  

Norwich Science Festival focuses on minimising the environmental footprint of our events, while also exploring creative and collaborative ways to engage audiences with climate science.  

Our approach to sustainability isn’t just about the environment. We also consider the social, cultural, and economic effects of the Festival, aiming to create a positive, lasting impact in the communities we reach.  

Our key aims reflect our commitment to creating a sustainable Festival and building science confidence and interest across Norfolk: 

Building sustainable partnerships 

We aim to build creative, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with partners and collaborators, and deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the city and the county. 

Highlighting global challenges 

We aim to raise awareness of the ways in which science and innovation can address pressing global issues, from climate change to health. 

Engaging new audiences 

We aim to connect with new audiences who are currently underserved by the Festival, or experience barriers to access to science. 

What have we done so far?

Each year, we continue to consider our environmental impact in every decision we make. We’re committed to not only reducing our impact on the environment but also using our platforms to educate and inspire change.  

Here’s just a few of the things we’ve been working on to create a more sustainable Norwich Science Festival: 

• We invest in our Festival infrastructure with a long-term view. Our 2025 children's workshop sets have been placed in storage and will be reused again at future events.   

• Any partners and exhibitors who join us at the Festival are expected to follow The Forum’s environmental policy. This includes not offering single use plastics or decorating their stands with balloons.

• We work with local companies wherever possible, reducing transport miles and supporting our local economy. 

• We have a public water refill station in The Forum to reduce the need for visitors to purchase single use bottled water.

• Wherever possible, we avoid using Festival dates on marketing collateral such as banners, flags and printed graphics so that these can be re-used across multiple years to reduce waste. 

• We encourage visitors to use public transport to attend our events and provide detailed information to promote this. 

• We provide 4 EV charging stations in The Forum car park. 

• We prioritise recycled materials for signage, ambient and marketing, and have reduced our print runs to reduce waste. 

• We have digitised our events booking process, removing the need to print paper tickets.

Creating a platform for change

Norwich Science Festival is committed to raising awareness of environmental issues and providing a platform for scientists and researchers through a dedicated programme of events focused on environmental sustainability. 

In recent years, the Festival has presented the following: 

• In Conversation with Steve Backshall (2025)

• The Bear Necessities: Polar Bears and Climate Change (2025) 

• Where Maths Meets the Ocean (2025) 

• Climate Change, Geology and the Future (2025) 

• Speak Up to Save the Planet! (2024) 

• Create, Imagine, Change! Comics for a Better World (2024) 

• Decolonising Climate Justice: Amplifying Indigenous Voices (2024) 

• The Psychology of Climate Change (2023) 

• Deforestation on our plates (2023) 

• Sustainability within Modern Retail (2023) 

• Climate Action: The Time is Now (2021) 

• The Climate-Biodiversity Emergency (2021) 

• A Bold Vision of Hope for a Sustainable Future (2021) 

• Climate Change: Time for Action (2020) 

• Reasons for Hope with Dr Jane Goodall DBE (2019) 

• Shifting Mindsets – Climate Change and Social Transformations (2019) 

These events represent just a snapshot of the Festival’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency head-on. Environmental sustainability is a recurring theme woven throughout much of our programming, not only in headline talks but also in a wide range of events.

Many of The Explorium stands are also dedicated to climate-focused innovation and education, ensuring that visitors of all ages engage with the urgent challenges (and solutions!) shaping our planet’s future.

How you can help!

• Where possible, please consider walking, cycling or using public transport to attend Norwich Science Festival events. 

• Bring along a refillable water bottle and use our water refill station at The Forum to save plastic waste. 

• Use the recycling facilities at The Forum, or take waste home with you to recycle. 

• Please don’t print your event tickets. We have digitised our booking system, so you only need to have your email confirmation to attend our events. 

You can find out more about sustainability at The Forum here: Sustainability at The Forum // The Forum Norwich