Julie’s Bicycle and Arts Council England release their Culture, Climate, Environmental Responsibility: Annual Report 2023-24. Published as COP29 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report showcases cultural organisations taking environmental action and celebrates their creative and inspirational responses to the climate, nature and justice crisis.
The Environmental Programme, launched in 2012, was a pioneering policy intervention to make environmental requirements a condition of funding. Over 12 years the programme has catalysed leadership at all levels, and this report is a testament to that change. Climate action ranges across key areas including clean energy, biodiversity, programming work, campaigning, governance, ethical finance and the small every day acts of care that create the conditions for transformative change.
Alison Tickell, Founder and CEO, Julie’s Bicycle, commented: “The case for culture and climate is no longer in any doubt. But how it is done is the real challenge. And here it is, testament to the abundance of creative content, organisational change, and outspoken narratives on climate, nature and justice from National Portfolio Organisations. This report is a celebration of steady and progressive cultural transformation.”
Nicola Saunders, Director Environmental Responsibility & Innovation, Arts Council England added: “This report, the first from the 2023-26 portfolio engaging with the Investment Principles in the Arts Council’s Let’s Create strategy, shows organisations embedding Environmental Responsibility across everything they do, from operations and logistics to considering how creation, programming and partnerships can help support their commitment and provoke debate. We’re delighted to see so many inspirational examples of understanding the data, planning action and change, and influencing, educating and advocating for climate action.”
- Self-reported environmental data was submitted by 591 cultural organisations (60%
of the portfolio) - The total emissions from the reporting portfolio are 84,561 tCO2e
Of those who reported, 90% have an environmental policy and 84% have an
environmental action plan - 59% have their environmental action overseen at governance level● 72% have taken steps to save energy and be more energy efficient
- 71% of organisations produced, programmed, curated work exploring environmental
themes, using influence to raise awareness, and inspire discussion and behaviour
change - 68% actively collaborate with other cultural organisations to find and share solutions
to environmental issues
The report gives over 50 practical examples of cultural organisations taking climate action including ten in depth case studies from across England. These highlight the creative approaches organisations are taking, from a hydro turbine project by Global Grooves in Tameside, co-created with the local community and which celebrates the industrial past of their building; to Oily Cart’s co-production with an Australian partner which centred sustainable approaches to co-creating and touring their show internationally. Over the last 10 years of the portfolio, carbon emissions overall were reduced by 50%. This first year of reporting for the 2023-26 portfolio will act as a benchmark to measure the progress of the portfolio until 2027.
Read: Culture, Climate, Environmental Responsibility: Annual Report 2023-24.
