»Our society is facing great challenges. Individuals and organisations need to commit to meeting these challenges. The Royal Swedish Opera contributes to a more sustainable world by observing a sustainable approach both on and off the stage. «

Fredrik Lindgren CEO

Most people would probably agree that sustainability is for the common good. But what does it actually mean? It is not just about the environment and the climate, as you might be led to believe. There are three equally important dimensions:

- Social sustainability involves aiming for a society in which fundamental human rights are observed.

- Environmental sustainability is about not wasting natural resources and not causing long-term damage to eco systems and natural resources.

- Economic sustainability is partly about economic development without negative consequences to environmental or social sustainability as well as sustainable production and consumption.

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly ratified the 17 global sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainability work at the Royal Swedish Opera is always linked to one of these goals with a special focus on the seven goals mentioned in this publication.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

In our case, social sustainability is about developing our art forms with an innovative approach at the same time as we preserve and present our cultural legacy to benefit as many people as possible. We are tasked by the Government to commission and perform new works of opera and ballet with a special emphasis on reaching out to children and young people.

We are to be accessible for as many as possible with the aim of reaching audiences from every social stratum and background. Our work on social sustainability also includes caring for our employees and ensuring that the Royal Swedish Opera is seen as an attractive employer.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

at the Royal Swedish Opera

One of our most important missions is to create informed productions for children and young people
and to make it possible for them to engage with the arts. Young at the Opera has for over twenty years
endeavoured to involve as many children as
possible in our performing arts: opera,
ballet and dance.

Young at the Opera reached approximately
49,000 children, young people and adults
in 2022 with performances, concerts,
learning activities, outreach projects and
guided tours. We wish to increase and
extend children and young people’s
awareness of opera, ballet and dance.
We are tasked by the Government to
operate with a clearly defined policy in
terms of children, equality, accessibility
and diversity.

Social sustainability 2022:

YOUNG AT
THE OPERA

Just like any other company, our operations cause environmental impact through travel, transport and the use of various materials. Also, the premises need heating and ventilation. It is our responsibility to make the most of any potential for improvement and do everything we can to control our environmental footprint.

The Royal Swedish Opera is not an ordinary privately owned company, nor is it a government body – we are a limited company wholly-owned by the state. Our purpose is not to generate a profit or pay dividends. According to our appropriation directions we are to have at our disposal sufficient capital to form a solid base for our operations.

Long-term sustainable relationships with our suppliers and others that affect our operations is essential for fostering responsible business conduct. Our purchases policy is to be business-like, impartial and reliable while observing good business practice. This is the definition of good business ethics in the value chain, and it is of paramount importance at the Royal Swedish Opera.

The Royal Swedish Opera purchases goods and services from a large number of suppliers, approximately 1,400 each year. Apart from Sweden our suppliers are mainly companies in Europe that specialise in stage services. When selecting our suppliers, we consider sustainability aspects such as environmental considerations and social responsibility. In other words, we do not only consider sustainability within our own operations, but also among the businesses that supply goods and services. It contributes to influencing third parties to choose sustainable production practices.

Our Code of Conduct for suppliers outline our requirements for responsible business practices in terms of the environment, working conditions, human rights, anti-corruption, business ethics and diversity. Every supplier that the Royal Swedish Opera enters into an agreement with must sign off on this Code of Conduct.

Naturally, there are things that we at the Royal Swedish Opera need to be better at and that we are constantly trying to improve. Sustainability is often a balancing act when it comes to putting on a production that is socially sustainable without causing negative effects on the climate and the environment in the form of pollution or energy consumption.

CHALLENGES

In 2022 Young at the Opera continued to develop the web series The Magical House for the Royal Swedish Opera streaming service Operan Play.

The Magical House opens the doors to everything that goes on behind the scenes before, during and after a performance. It addresses pupils and teachers, but it can be of interest to all age groups.

Ten episodes have been published so far, and more are on the way – there is a lot to show and tell about what we do. We have reached many children and classrooms over the years. The Magical House has been shown approximately 30,000 times – 15,000 during 2022.

OPERAN PLAY AND THE MAGICAL HOUSE

In 2022, the Royal Swedish Opera was awarded the St Julian Award by the City of Stockholm in the category Accessible Information and Communication.
The motivation included praise for clear and accessible information and communication with the aim of offering visitors access to performances and activities regardless of functional ability.

THE ST JULIAN AWARD

The Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Dramatic Theatre are currently building new studios, workshops and rehearsal rooms at Flemingsberg. This location was chosen as part of our effort to reach out to people who have never visited the Opera and is part of our social sustainability work.

In 2022, the Royal Swedish Opera and Huddinge Municipality initiated a collaboration with four local primary and secondary schools. These schools will regularly be invited to performances, concerts, workshops, guided tours of the opera house and, in the future, our new studios, workshops and rehearsal rooms.

When Ariadne auf Naxos was produced in 2022, residents not only in and around Flemingsberg, but in the entire Huddinge Municipality, were invited to the dress rehearsal at the opera house.

HELLO FLEMINGSBERG!

The Royal Swedish Opera is committed to equal representation between men and women. It remains even for those permanently employed with 48 per cent women and 52 per cent men. The annual salary review for 2022 showed the same result as previous years, equal pay for men and women.

Gender equality is also a goal for artistic teams (directors; conductors; stage designers; costume designers; lighting, sound and video designers; makeup designers, etc.) and for choreographers, composers and librettists. The goal was met in 2022 with 42 per cent women and 58 per cent men.

GENDER
EQUALITY
GOAL MET

READ THE FULL REPORT AS A PDF HERE »

Throughout 2023, the Royal Swedish Opera will celebrate its 250 anniversary with a cavalcade of operas, ballets, musicals, contemporary dance, concerts and productions for children and young people.

READ ABOUT THE PRODUCTIONS
AND PURCHASE TICKET HERE »

THE ROYAL SWEDISH OPERA

SEVEN FOCUS GOALS

from Agenda 2030

RESPONSIBLE PUBLISHER Fredrik Lindgren
PROJECT MANAGER Tomas Hultman
EDITOR Nicholas Ringskog Ferrada-Noli
IMAGE EDITOR Anna Arkbrant
GRAPHIC DESIGN Magnus Israelsson
3D Wang & Söderström
PHOTOGRAPHY Sören Vilks, Nils Emil Nylander, Beata Cervin,
Markus Gårder, Sara P Borgström, Eric Börjesson