Sustainability, Climate Change and the Arts
Climate emergency is one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime. With the Artic sea not yet frozen in October and global leaders ignoring international climate agreements, all sectors are urged to reduce emissions and find more sustainable approaches. The Scottish Government set a legally-binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by net zero by 2045, whilst Nicola Sturgeon recently took the role of the European co-chair of Under2 Coalition, which is composed of 220 governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. This will have an impact on many industries, including farming, housing and transport. But it will also affect the arts.
Jordan Hubbard courtesy of Wunderstock (license)
Since 2011, Creative Carbon Scotland (CCS) has been leading the Green Arts Initiative (GAI), working with Festivals Edinburgh, the Federation of Scottish Theatre and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network and with support from Creative Scotland, the public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government. The GAI supports Scottish arts organisations by sharing knowledge about sustainability and providing support with carbon management plans – a requirement for every regularly funded organisation since 2018. In a recent conversation, Ben Twist, the director of CCS, told me about the ‘fantastic work’ of the 280 member organisations, which show great commitment to the cause. Whilst the main challenges are usually buildings, utilities and travel, 2019's achievements have been the reduction of travel emissions and the improvement of recycling and energy efficiency, together with engaging with environmental issues in public programmes
The Green Arts Initiative Report 2019, available on the CCS's website
Artists also have a role to play in reducing their environmental impact. Twist highlights that the biggest individual carbon contributions tend to be made by air travel. Generally speaking, the industry urgently needs to rethink the reliance on travel and find other models of working together. However, if you are struggling to find other alternatives, here are some tips from CCS. First of all, check if you can do the same journey by train or boat and ask your host organisation if they have a pot of money to reduce their environmental impact – they might be able to cover the extra costs of slow travel and might even provide you with a stipend for your time. If that’s not possible, try to fly directly, without stops, ideally with a budget airline (which uses more efficient planes). Finally, if you decide to travel, avoid short trips and see if your trip could be turned into something longer – perhaps a series of workshops or a residency.
CAN's homepage
Another meaningful action is reducing unnecessary consumption and waste. The Circular Arts Network (CAN) is a recent initiative launched by the Sculpture Placement Group, which encourages a redistribution of spare, used or surplus materials in the arts. Run principally by the artist Kate V Robertson, it is a sort of Gumtree for the arts, where you can find anything from gallery furniture and plinths to frames and transport equipment for free or low prices. CAN is currently composed mostly of individual users, but it has partnered with galleries such as the Talbot Rice and the Modern Institute and is looking to attract construction firms and larger organisations. If you have any materials that you are not planning to use or even some time to contribute to the time bank, it only takes a few minutes to list them on CAN – a small action can go a long way.
Words: Polina Chizhova