This post comes from Creative Carbon Scotland

Creative Scotland has identified the Environment as one of four the connecting themes that underpins its work and the work it supports as the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries.

As identified in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, Creative Scotland (and Scotland’s other public bodies) must act:

1. in the way best calculated to contribute to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets;
2. in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programme; and
3. in a way that it considers most sustainable.

Creative Scotland has communicated this commitment in more detail in its 10 Year Plan, stating:

“Climate change is one of the most significant challenges that face us today. We want to ensure that we work in as sustainable a manner as possible and that the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland do the same.”

How can we and those individuals and organisations working within the arts, screen and creative industries help contribute to Creative Scotland’s Environment Connecting Theme? We have provided the following guidance to highlight ways in which you and/or your organisation can lead by example and create a more sustainable Scotland while contributing to the Environment Connecting Theme.

Since 2011, we (Creative Carbon Scotland) have been supporting those working within the arts, screen and creative industries to reduce their organisation’s carbon emissions and environmental impacts as well as influence others about climate change and environmental sustainability. We have produced this guide to share what we think the basic, good and star contributions to the Environment Connecting Theme would be.

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DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

or read on for the web version.

The following table shows what we think would be Basic Compliance (ie the bare minimum for an application to hold its head up); Good Practice (ie an organisation that has good standards in this area); and Star Performer (ie an organisation that is leading the way) . We go into more detail below.

 

WHERE TO START:

Below we’ve indicated some places to start with helpful guides and examples to support and inspire you!

Reducing your own carbon emissions and other environmental impacts

1. Appoint a Green Champion, or in a larger organisation, a Green Team.
2. Understand your carbon footprint (Find out using claimexpenses.com or the Tenant Energy Toolkit)
3. Develop an environmental sustainability policy and action plan.
4. Join the Green Arts Initiative.
5. Plan how to report this work to your Board.

Influencing others (artists, companies, audiences, suppliers, peers (other arts organisations etc), others)

6. Include information about the work you are doing to reduce your footprint on your website, brochures, programmes, annual reports etc including membership of GAI!!
7. Encourage sustainable travel by audiences, artists, freelancers and visitors. If needed, develop your travel policy and plan.
8. Find suppliers who offer eco-friendly products, services and materials. (Read about what the Edinburgh International Book Festival or Film City Glasgow are doing in relation to sustainable procurement)
9. Programming opportunities
   1. Within programme: commissioning, seeking existing work, telling artists you’re interested, framing work as relevant
   2. Outwith programming: discussions, using artists’ other interest

 

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The post CCS February Newsletter appeared first on Creative Carbon Scotland.

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Creative Carbon Scotland is a partnership of arts organisations working to put culture at the heart of a sustainable Scotland. We believe cultural and creative organisations have a significant influencing power to help shape a sustainable Scotland for the 21st century.

In 2011 we worked with partners Festivals Edinburgh, the Federation of Scottish Threatre and Scottish Contemporary Art Network to support over thirty arts organisations to operate more sustainably.

We are now building on these achievements and working with over 70 cultural organisations across Scotland in various key areas including carbon management, behavioural change and advocacy for sustainable practice in the arts.

Our work with cultural organisations is the first step towards a wider change. Cultural organisations can influence public behaviour and attitudes about climate change through:

Changing their own behaviour;
Communicating with their audiences;
Engaging the public’s emotions, values and ideas.

Go to Creative Carbon Scotland