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Co-op Live Appoints Glastonbury & Coldplay Sustainability Consultants Hope Solutions
– Renderig of the Canalside outdoor area of Co-op Live.
2,791 square meters of greening around the building are part of the design.
Pioneers in reducing live entertainment’s impact on the environment, Hope Solutions will map out Co-op Live’s operational practices during construction. Once the arena doors open in 2023, Hope Solutions will deliver on Co-op Live’s net-zero carbon ambitions.
The arena’s developer Oak View Group (OVG, Pollstar’s parent company), has emphasized its ambitions to become the UK’s most sustainable area from the get-go, when first engaging in conversations with the city of Manchester, where the the 23,500-capacity building will be located.
Co-op Live already announced that it will become the UK’s first all-electric arena, with a solar-panel-covered roof, and committed to 100% rainwater harvesting, as well as zero waste to landfill. The partnership with Hope Solutions “reinforces Co-op Live’s environmental commitments,” according to the partnership announcement.
Hope Solutions, which counts Glastonbury and Coldplay among its most prominent clients, will work closely with the Co-op Live team to make the building as sustainable as possible from construction to opening and beyond.
– Aerial rendering of Co-op Live.
This includes defining what “net zero” looks like for the £365 million ($479 million) project, and “exploring potential options for net-zero verification schemes. Additionally, it will establish a framework for measuring, tracking, reporting and reducing carbon impacts, addressing scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions,” the announcement continues.
One key aspect of Hope Solutions’ work will establishing a planet-friendly rider that can help shape discussions with suppliers, artists, and promoters as Co-op Live begins to announce its first raft of events later in 2022.
Recent statements on the environmental impact of tours by iconic acts including Coldplay, Massive Attack, and Ellie Goulding have demonstrated, that the consideration of the sustainability of live events will become integral to bookings over the next five to ten years.
– Different view of Co-op Live
Rendering.
Francesca Bodie, President of Business Development, Oak View Group commented: “Climate change is the fight of our lives, and our industry has an important role to play because we have the power to inspire. We were proud to open the first carbon neutral arena, Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, last year, and the appointment of Hope Solutions will help bring our planet-friendly vision to life at Co-op Live, which will be the UK’s best and most sustainable arena.”
Mark Donnelly, COO, Co-op Live, said: “Co-op Live will be the UK’s first all-electric and one of the world’s most planet friendly arenas when it opens in 2023. This partnership with industry-leading climate experts Hope Solutions will enable us to deliver on our net zero carbon ambitions. The creation of an eco-friendly rider for artists visiting Co-op Live will ensure we’re ready to accommodate everyone’s needs as we begin to book some of the world’s best artists later this year.”
Luke Howell, Hope Solutions, said: “This project represents a real turning point in sustainable culture – being able to deliver world class entertainment in a low carbon and environmentally positive manner is real progress and we are really looking forward to supporting the Co-op Live team in delivering this. Being sustainable and achieving net-zero doesn’t have to impact on the creative integrity and audience experience, in fact it can absolutely enhance it so both people and planet benefit as this venue will prove.”
Oak View Group recently affirmed its commitment to addressing the climate crisis at its first ever Leadership Conference in Los Angeles. Other recent examples of OVG buildings that have climate resilience built into its original plans include Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, “the world’s most environmentally friendly venue,” by OVG’s own admission.
Co-op Live has been under construction for over a year and is expected to open in late 2023. The construction of the venue has generated £150 million ($197 million) in orders placed with local firms, delivering on Co-op Live’s commitment to local procurement to reduce the venue’s carbon footprint.