Sustainable Futures
Achieving rapid, deep and radical decarbonisation is an enormous challenge. We’re making changes and driving sustainable behaviour across everything we do.
The scale of the climate crisis is huge, but science and human ingenuity can make a difference. When we come together great things can happen.
As a science centre, we’re in a unique position to bridge the gap between science and society. We can play a motivating and encouraging role to help decarbonise the way we live and work.
We strive to:
Do – be a venue that’s as environmentally sustainable as possible
Talk – spark conversations to inspire our audiences to take positive action for the planet
Share – extend beyond our walls to support Bristol’s transition to carbon net zero and to support our sector in decarbonisation
We’ve been working on our sustainability journey since 2010, and in 2019 we declared a climate emergency.
So far we’ve:
It is brilliant having We the Curious as an active member of our Climate Leaders Group. Their ambition and commitment to climate action is clear and so it is hugely valuable having them share their experience. They are also regular supporters of our Climate Action Programme, generously giving their time to speak at events and provide case studies for others to learn from.Claire Jacob, Head of Communications and Partnerships - Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
Here’s some of the projects that we’ll be focussing on in the future:
Our partnership with the Sustainable Futures team at We The Curious has been pivotal to the work we've been doing to support ASDC members across the UK. Chris and Roddy have dedicated a huge amount of their time to provide invaluable talks, workshops and tools to support science centres in tackling their own sustainability goals and targets. Their leadership on curating the content for the decarbonisation group is testimony to their commitment to the sector achieving net zero.Cait Campbell, Project Manager - Association for Science and Discovery Centres
A beautiful new piece of climate action street art has been unveiled as part of a new collaboration between We The Curious and Jody Thomas, the acclaimed Bristol artist behind the world-famous mural of Greta Thunberg.
Educational charity and science centre, We The Curious is launching a new photography exhibition ‘This Can Change’; opening on Wednesday 8 December it will feature 130 images submitted by the young people of Bristol in response to the climate crisis. This…
Our open letter to the Prime Minister appealing against the allowance of new oil and gas licences for drilling as announced at the end of July, and decision to delay our government’s actions on net zero.
We The Curious was the first science centre in the world to declare a climate emergency; with the pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.
As part of We The Curious’ climate emergency declaration earlier this year, and pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030, there will not be a temporary seasonal ice rink this winter; BUMP roller disco will instead run on Millennium Square from 15 November…
Sustainability and Science Director
As Sustainability and Science Director, I have been responsible for Sustainable Futures at We The Curious since 2011. During that time, I have introduced a sector-leading programme of environmental best practice, innovative technologies, and organisational change. In 2019, I led We The Curious’ work to become the first science centre in the world to declare a climate emergency and pledge to meet ambitious decarbonisation targets in this decade, implemented alongside climate change adaptation.
Beyond We The Curious, I have held positions as Head of Environmental Sustainability at UKRI, Elected Director of the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, Mentor of Arizona State University’s Sustainability in Science Museums Global Fellowship, and Chair of the ASDC Decarbonisation Group. My background is in science communication and stand-up comedy.
Carbon Manager
My role is to gain an in depth understanding of our operations, practices and gather information about our estate. By doing so, we have been able to use data to help guide our decarbonisation journey and continue to reduce our overall environmental impact.
Over the last few years, I have also led a series of decarbonisation workshops for the Association for Science and Discovery Centres Decarbonisation Group and I now Co-Chair Bristol’s Climate Leaders group which is run by Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership. Before my current role I enjoyed time as a Team Leader for our Live Science Team, explaining and exploring science with visitors. Listening to people, communities and businesses and sharing our collective knowledge and experience is something I’m very passionate about so please don’t hesitate to reach out
Sustainability Coordinator
I’m the Sustainability Coordinator at We The Curious and the newest member of the Sustainable Futures Team, having joined in April 2023. In my role I get to wear a lot of hats, from coordinating our cross-departmental team focused on sustainability initiatives to processing carbon data that helps us track our environmental impact. Alongside our Carbon Manager, I also roll out procurement training, ensuring that every purchase the organisation makes is as responsible as possible. And, I help share our sustainability journey with other organisations across the city and beyond, including fellow science centres.
My background in the built environment led me to start my career in sustainability consultancy, working on BREEAM construction projects. I’ve also worked in festival sustainability, contributing to A Greener Future research and coordinating sustainability assessments for the Green Man festival. Being at We The Curious has allowed me to blend these two worlds in a really unique way.
I love being a part of such a forward-thinking and exciting science centre which, amongst many other things, supports meaningful dialogue about climate change and sustainability.
We’re always looking to collaborate with other organisations and visitor attractions, to share best practice and to learn from each other. Do get in touch to find out how we can help you to set, measure and hit your own sustainability goals. To find out more, email or give us a call on 0117 915 1000.
