Environmental sustainability

We need to think how to live in a broken world, and how to begin to mend it. Christopher Smith says the arts and humanities are crucial to this.

Cross artform

£1.1bn needed to make UK theatres sustainable

09 Nov 2021

Building refurbishments must be prioritised for the sector to reach its net zero targets, but a lack of funding remains a major obstacle.

Finance

Research

Theatre

One fifth of NPOs fail to report environmental data

05 Nov 2021

Exemptions are available, but four times as many organisations fail to report without one.

Climate change needs more than lip service

05 Nov 2021

Opinion

There are better ways for the arts sector and its funders to tackle the climate crisis than slipshod data collection.

Data

British Museum denies sharing intelligence with BP

26 Oct 2021

The British Museum has denied sharing information about environmental activists with its sponsor BP.

An OpenDemocracy investigation found the oil giant was collecting information on climate campaigners, including Co-Director of Culture Unstained Chris Garrard.

The museum said it has not received intelligence about campaigners from either BP or intelligence firm Welund.

The investigation has called into question the museum’s handling of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Internal museum emails obtained through a FOI request described Garrard as “an anti-BP activist,” going against anonymity guidelines.

Conservative MP David Davis told OpenDemocracy the British Museum must ensure FOI requests remain applicant blind.

“If they do not follow public rules, then it must be questioned whether they should get public money.”

Scotland to stage cultural events alongside COP26

26 Oct 2021

Details of the cultural events set to mark COP26 across Scotland have been confirmed.

Scotland's five national performing arts companies are all organising events, with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra scheduled to welcome delagates to Glasgow on November 1.

Creative Carbon Scotland has announced seven new Climate Beacons hubs, a collaborative project between local climate change, environmental, arts, heritage and cultural organisations.

Museums and Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and the Climate Heritage Network have joined forces on a website, Culture at COP, that showcases cultural activities around the conference.

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth says the sector has a major role to play in encouraging debate around environmental issues.

"COP26 in Glasgow is a once in a lifetime event and our cultural organisations have risen to the occasion by programming an impressive line-up of live and online activities."

Science Museum slammed over 'reckless' sponsorship deal

21 Oct 2021

The museum has relied on a technicality to sidestep its own standards for corporate partnerships.

Sponsorship

Museums and heritage

Arts funding

Immersive exhibition merges art with science at COP26

29 Sep 2021

An immersive art installation opening this weekend will mark the UN's Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow.

Polar Zero, a collaboration between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), British Antarctic Survey, engineering consultants Arup and the Royal College of Art, includes a glass sculpture encasing Antarctic Air from 1765 and an Antarctic ice core drilled out of a glacier.

The centrepieces are significant because they provide scientific evidence of the earth's temperature before the industrial revolution - a turning point in global warming - and the state of the atmosphere now.

AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said Polar Zero "epitomises the power of the arts and arts s research to tackle pressing contemporary issues such as climate change".

“It translates crucial but complex scientific research in a way that will resonate deeply and emotionally with diverse audiences to inspire lasting change."

Polar Zero opens at Glasgow Science Centre on October 2.

NPOs report decrease in carbon emissions

07 Sep 2021

Funded arts organisations demonstrate “flourishing” sustainable practices and falling emissions, despite a drop in reporting.

Channel 4 drops BP from Paralympics coverage

24 Aug 2021

Channel 4 have confirmed BP will no longer sponsor its coverage of the Paralympics, due to start later this week.

A Freedom of Information request by Culture Unstained confirmed the oil company will no longer share sponsorship with Toyota.

Although Channel 4 declined to confirm why the oil giant is no longer a sponsor, climate activists have cited growing public opposition to fossil fuel sponsorship.

Andrew Simms from the Rapid Transition Alliance said the decision should “send a wider message” around the ethics of sponsorship.

Science Museum used 'misleading' tool to justify big oil sponsorship

05 Aug 2021

The museum promoted itself as the first in the cultural sector to assess potential partners using a climate action benchmark that would have green lit deals with most oil and gas companies.

Sponsorship

Museums and heritage

Investing in disabled artists

16 Jun 2021

A commissioning programme in support of disabled artists was inundated with applications. Jo Verrent says the sector must increase its commitment to this under-served community.

Disability

Creating a buzz in the garden of Eden

19 May 2021

Can artists make a positive contribution to alleviate the threat of biodiversity decline? Misha Curson shares a project which is aiming to do just that.

Visual arts

Can we any longer justify our carbon footprint?

A person lying in a tree using a megaphone

11 May 2021

After a lifetime spent working in the arts across the world, Judith Knight considers the dilemma of meeting the demands of the climate emergency while retaining international collaborations.

Touring

Collaboration

An experimental museum to tackle the climate crisis

Two children at a desk working with two adults on crafts

11 May 2021

Organisations talk a big game about preventing climate change but what are they doing? Bridget McKenzie shares her experience of testing the way culture takes action.

Policy

Leadership

Working towards greater environmental sustainability

Glyndebourne Opera House with its wind turbine in the background

11 May 2021

Case study

As cultural organisations are looking for new ways to reduce their carbon emissions, Kate Harvey reports on a remarkable 10 year journey which has led to excess energy generation being redirected to the National Grid.

Policy

Where earth’s spirit lies

Group of people with banners in the background and two people in the foreground dress in green, leaf-like coats, one of which is on a white horse

11 May 2021

Two years ago a group of artists and environmental activists launched Culture Declares Emergency. Lucy Neal and Kay Michael tell the story of the movement’s foundation and the momentum it has gathered since then.

Finding the words to write the climate

Still from murmuration of a hand over some drawn flowers

11 May 2021

Poet and climate writer, Linda France shares how she is creating spaces for connection, discussion and personal reflection, encouraging us to respond to the climate emergency and see ourselves as part of the solution.

Literature

Sustainable development: are you doing your bit?

The Prime Minister and Sir David Attenborough sitting in front a picture of the globe, answering questions from pupils from Barnes Primary School and John Betts Primary School

01 Jul 2020

Light on resources and heavy on challenges – even before Covid-19 – the cultural sector can nonetheless take small, regular actions to support a green and inclusive recovery from the pandemic. Simon Thompson proposes a way forward.