Sustainability Hub

The creation of an environmentally friendly and sustainable infrastructure has been from the start at the root of the GNO’s vision and design by the GNO Foundation (SNF). From the sweeping Energy Canopy on the roof of the Greek National Opera (GNO) to the numerous design details of the buildings and the GNO Park, the imperative of sustainability is reflected everywhere and emerges as a new paradigm in the construction, operation and maintenance of public spaces and infrastructure.

This concerted effort has already won international recognition, with the GNO becoming the first large-scale cultural project to be awarded the LEED Platinum Certification as a Green Building. Its certification came as a result of its pioneering architectural design, and the incorporation of active and passive technologies that render it one of the environmentally friendliest buildings in the world.

In addition to its design and construction, sustainability objectives also govern the operation of the GNO. The buildings and the GNO Park are maintained to ensure the project’s sustainability, addressing daily challenges and building on the potential for development.

The building facilities and the GNO Park are maintained with a focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project, addressing ongoing challenges while also embracing opportunities for progress.

Since the beginning of its operation, the GNO has implemented a comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring full compliance with the international ISO 14001 standard and the requirements set forth in its Environmental Impact Approval Decision (ΕΙΑD). The EMS lies at the heart of the organization’s environmental strategy, with a primary goal of continuously improving its environmental performance.

In November 2024, the system was certified under the EN ISO 14001:2015 standard by the independent certification body EUROCERT.

Since its first years of operation and thanks to the exclusive grant of the GNO Foundation (SNF), the GNO has managed to be a hub of awareness, information and education, with a dual social role: on the one hand, it offers the forum for groups and institutions to share their knowledge about sustainability issues; and on the other, it deploys its natural resources in such a way as to produce valid and relevant content, give food for thought, and facilitate the engagement of active citizens.

Whether in person or online, visitors of all ages experience the GNO in light of the lessons of sustainability, aiming among other things to inform, cause to reflect on, and mobilize for, a modern, sustainable ecosystem.

The Environmental Unit is an interdepartmental team including members from the Facilities Department, Marketing & Communications Department, and Programming & Production Department, reporting to the General Director, who chairs the Unit and represents GNO Management.

The team consists of:

• Management Representative – Dimitris Protopsaltou, General Director
• Unit Coordinator – Nikolaos Polemikos, Chief Facilities Officer
• Environmental Indicators Monitoring & Deputy Unit Coordinator – Dimitris Karmaniolas, Electromechanical Engineering Senior Manager
• ESMS & ISO 14001 Process Monitoring – Anastasia Livanou, Electromechanical Facilities Senior Officer
• Carbon Footprint & ISO 14064, LEED Certifications – Dimitrios Charalampis, Electromechanical Facilities Manager
• Green Spaces and Biodiversity – Sotiris Tsekas, Park & Landscape Manager
• Communication and Awareness – Evelina Sarantidi, Corporate Marketing & Communications Senior Manager
• Programs and Education – Sylvia Liouliou, Programming & Production Manager

For any sustainability related issues, you may contact us at Environment@gno.org.

GNO is the first large-scale cultural project to achieve LEED Platinum certification in Europe. Our certification was the result of visionary architecture and the integration of active and passive technologies that make GNO one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable buildings.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification covers six key areas at both the design and construction stages;

• Design & Construction Innovation
• Energy & Air Quality
• Interior Quality
• Efficient Water Management
• Efficient Use of Resources & Materials
• Sustainable Landscaping

Non-Exhaustive List of Awards & Certifications 

• LEED Platinum Certification, 2016
• Most Innovative Leisure & Entertainment Facility, 2017 InAVation Awards
• International Project of the Year, 2016 Building Awards
• Best Project – Cultural, 2016 ENR Global Best Projects Awards
• Merit, 2016 International Safety Awards, British Safety Council
• Award for Arts/Entertainment Structures, 2016 Structural Awards
• European Solar Prize 2017, EUROSOLAR
• RIBA International Prize 2018: Award of Excellence
• Bundesverband GebäudeGrün (BuGG): BuGG Green Roof of the Year 2018
• European Garden Heritage Network: European Garden Award 2018/2019, First Prize – Innovative contemporary concept or design of a park or garden
• U.S. Green Building Council: Certification, LEED Platinum v4.1 Operation & Maintenance – Existing Buildings, 2024
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management – Facilities)

The carbon footprint represents the total greenhouse gas emissions that are caused directly or indirectly by the organization’s activities. It includes the emissions of six greenhouse gases (Carbon Dioxide – CO2, Methane – CH4, Nitrous Oxide – N2O, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)), measured in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). The emissions produced cover two (2) scopes:

• Scope 1 Emissions: Direct emissions from the organization’s operations, arising from activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels in stationary sources, and fugitive gases (leaks) from air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, etc.
• Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect emissions from the purchase of electricity that is generated outside the organization but consumed by the organization.

Calculating the carbon footprint is particularly important as it helps in managing greenhouse gas emissions and evaluating measures to reduce them. By quantifying emissions, significant emission sources can be identified and priority can be given to areas with the greatest reduction potential, thereby ensuring the most cost-effective use of resources for emissions-reduction interventions. In addition, calculating the carbon footprint is a key factor in improving energy efficiency, enhancing resource management, and consequently reducing costs.

Total emissions of the GNO Foundation Cultural Center (GNO) according to ISO 14064-1:

• 2019 total emissions: 518.77 tCO2e – certified
• 2023 total emissions: 355.29 tCO2e – certified
• 2024 total emissions: 214.6 tCO2e – pending certification

The ISO 14064-1 standard defines principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, and also sets requirements for the design, development, management, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emission inventories.