Environmental impact study of symphony orchestras and preparation of a classification guide

In this work, five professional symphony orchestras have been analysed for several parameters in order to assess negative environmental impacts related to their activity. The parameter with the greatest impact was the concert tour (40%) because of CO2 emissions, followed by the energy consumption in the printing of music sheets (30%), noise pollution (20%) and, finally, light efficiency (10%). The weighting of the results on a dimensionless scale (0–100), together with the elaboration of quality sub-indices allowed the elaboration of a Total Quality Index and a Classification Guide for analysing and comparing any symphony orchestra. The highest relative quality values (80–100) were related to the symphony orchestras that travel by private car, use the eBook as a support for their music sheets and rehearse in acoustically isolated rooms, illuminated with LED. Therefore, the basis for further studies related to the assessment of environmental sustainability in other less common areas can be carried out using the method applied to orchestras. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.