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A new report, published today, celebrates the successes of cultural organisations in acting on national and international climate targets.

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea. Photo © Seb Schofield

Sustaining Great Art and Culture 2018/19, published today by Arts Council England and Julie’s Bicycle, is the first environmental report to cover the Arts Council’s 2018-22 National Portfolio – which has grown by 20% and includes 184 new organisations that have never reported on their environmental data before.

Despite this, the same level of NPOs submitted environmental data as in 2017/18, revealing that that the Portfolio’s total carbon footprint is 114,547 tonnes of CO2e – which would take almost 115,000 trees 100 years to absorb!

However, the report highlights numerous initiatives organisations are undertaking to rise to this challenge: from Bristol’s Colston Hall pledge to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030 to the London Theatre Consortium developing a roadmap for a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025.

Many organisations are also producing work on environmental themes, raising awareness with audiences – showcasing the unique role of the cultural sector in addressing this fundamental issue. 

The success of this programme goes far beyond data collection and carbon reduction. Organisations are embedding climate action into the core of their operations – developing creative solutions, forging new partnerships and sparking valuable conversations on sustainability with audiences. 

- Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England

Key findings include:

  • Organisations are making sustainable energy choices – 54% have installed energy efficient lighting and controls and 32% of purchased electricity is on a green tariff contract.

  • A new, creative ecology is emerging – 47% are trailing sustainable production or exhibition methods and 30% are with banks that invest in social and environmental projects

  • Sustainability is powering creative expression – 50% developed new creative or artistic opportunities as a result of environmental initiatives and 49% have produced, programmed or curated work on environmental themes.

  • Business communication is changing – 70% actively promote virtual communications technology as an alternative to travelling

Two people sat a desk reading
Photo © ArtsAdmin and Bow Arts

The report details data, projects and initiatives from the first year of the 2018-22 Environmental Programme, which is underpinned by two new strands of work: Spotlight, focused on energy management and carbon reduction for, and Accelerator, supporting organisations in developing innovative approaches to environmental practice. 

Sustainable practice is reframing cultural leadership, offering regenerative solutions and giving back more than we take. 

- Alison Tickell, CEO, Julie’s Bicycle.

What’s next?

The report publication coincides with the announcement of a flagship event for 2020, organisational by Julie’s Bicycle in partnership with the Arts Council.

We Make Tomorrow on Wednesday 26 February at The Royal Geographic Society in London brings together high-profile speakers from the creative community with leading climate specialists to ask: ‘What will the world be like in 2030 and what can the creative and cultural community do now to push us closer to the future we want?’.

Book tickets and find out more here

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