Taking action on Environmental Responsibility

Our creative and cultural sector has come a long way with Environmental Responsibility.  

In 2012, the Arts Council became the first cultural organisation in the world to make environmental action a funding condition. Since then, we’ve helped the sector become fit for the future by collaborating with our environmental partner, Julie’s Bicycle, on a library of climate-focussed guidance and resources. Our strategy for 2020-2030, Let’s Create, further strengthened our commitment to climate action by making Environmental Responsibility one of our four Investment Principles. It requires the entire creative and cultural sector, including the Arts Council, to embody the principles of Environmental Responsibility through the way we all operate and the work we create.  

To make sure we’re on track to achieving Let’s Create by 2030, we published a Delivery Plan, which sets out the actions we’re taking in the first three years. Today, we take the next step in our environmental journey, and complete another of those actions, by publishing a comprehensive Environmental Action Plan.  

We know that meaningful change requires significant thought and care, which is why today’s plan – written with support from Julie’s Bicycle – is built on the findings of an organisation-wide environmental review (PDF, 150.37 KB), a carbon footprint analysis (PDF, 328.67 KB), and consultation with our teams. This thorough research has enabled us to craft a plan which will embed Environmental Responsibility in everything we do. It sets clear targets, actions and timelines to reduce our carbon footprint across six priority areas: people, place, travel, technology, procurement and pensions. 

We are confident that our targets – like reducing our office energy use and business travel emissions by 25% by 2023/24 – will result in that meaningful change we want to see. To help promote accountability, the plan is a live document that we will regularly review and update in partnership with Julie’s Bicycle.  

Turning our ambitions into actions through today’s plan is a pivotal moment for the Arts Council, but our environmental work doesn’t end there. We plan to expand our Environmental Responsibility support beyond our National Portfolio Organisations, to inspire and connect new climate champions and leaders throughout all areas of creativity and culture. That’s why we’re thrilled to support the We Make Tomorrow conference, held on Thursday 13 October in the run up to COP27, aiming to mobilise climate action through creativity, community and connection. We’re also looking forward to learning from our annual environmental report on our national portfolio and our updated carbon footprint later this year. 

By publishing our internal Action Plan, we aim not only to provide ideas for organisations considering their own environmental actions, but also to be open about the challenges we face. In the process, we hope to stimulate conversations about responsibility and action that will help us all learn from each other. After all, we’re treading the same path with you. If we all take responsibility, take action, and hold ourselves to account, the creative and cultural sector will lead the way at the time our planet needs us the most. Together, we will achieve our ambitious aims and build a brighter, greener future.