We’re all part of the climate crisis and we all need to be part of climate solutions, adaptabilities, cultural responses and attitudes. 

Here’s how we play our part …

Our Carbon Emissions 

Annually, since 2023, Dancehouse reports on our Carbon Emissions in our Annual Report. Our latest results — Annual Report 2025 — are available on page 107.

Dancehouse’s CO2e was calculated using Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Climate Tools. This free online calculator is specifically designed for arts and cultural organisations — predominantly in the UK — but has also included data from 2,000 organisations in 43 countries worldwide including, now, Dancehouse’.

Dancehouse’s carbon emissions were on par with 2024 noting an increase in audiences and similar levels of travel and waste. There was a rise in Electricity usage.

Insetting

Dancehouse recently piloted The Inset Day in August 2026. A small group from Dancehouse comprising artists, board, staff, collaborators, and fans, meet to begin a creative, community, and cultural response to carbon management. Starting with discussion and provocation by choreographer Grey Dear, we planted in the VINC seed orchard and nearby areas along the Birrarung for bat habitat. Then, proud Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa man Kai Lane took us for a walk through the VINC wetlands sharing cultural knowledge, history, and uses of Indigenous plants through story.

Carbon Insetting is a growing practice of organisations investing in nature-based solutions and strong, direct environmental investment or action within their value chain in recognition of their carbon emissions. This is an exciting alternative to Carbon Offsetting where companies utilise and invest in carbon credits, carbon markets, and sometimes dubious schemes outside of our local communities. ACFA members, including Dancehouse, have been discussing and exploring how insetting might be undertaken by arts and cultural organisations in Australia, growing relationships and contributing to the First Nations land they work upon and are in connection with.

Energy

Dancehouse has photovoltaic cells on our roof which support Dancehouse energy use and contribute energy back to the main electricity grid. They generate no carbon emissions but are included as a positive benefit to Dancehouse.

Since 2021, Dancehouse’s electricity has been supplied through the City of Yarra’s partnership through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP) program. The MREP ensures 100% renewable local energy use and supply at Dancehouse.

In an Australian first, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project brought together the purchasing power of 14 partners, including universities, cultural institutions, corporations and councils, to drive the construction of a new wind farm at Crowlands, near Ararat. The wind farm is owned and operated by Melbourne-based clean energy company Pacific Hydro.

Dancehouse Studios Brunswick is located at Nightingale Wurru-wurru biik designed by Breathe and is fossil fuel-free, has minimum 7.5 stars NatHERS rating, 100% embedded electricity network, and photovoltaic arrays.

Membership of ACFA (A Climate for Art)

Dancehouse is a member of ACFA and has committed to both fossil fuel divestment (fossil fuel free banking, superannuation and power) as well as collective organising and coordinating cultural responses to the climate crisis.

Our Climate Action Plan

Dancehouse annually updates our Action Plans which also includes our Climate Crisis Action Plan along with our priority areas: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Action Plan; Disability Action Plan; and Diversity and Equity Action Plan.