Gallery Climate Coalition
MADE IN BED’s Founder, Lorna Tiller, returns to share an important announcement on the art world’s first step in acknowledging its environmental impact.
Launched today, the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) aims to provide the industry with the necessary tools to assess and implement sustainable change in art businesses worldwide.
The founding members of the Gallery Climate Coalition. Courtesy GCC.
2020
… What a year huh? But don’t worry, I am not going to talk about Covid-19.
Instead, I hope to ignite change within MADE IN BED’s community in regards to demand for the art world to face its growing environmental responsibility. I support and celebrate the progress, commitment and opportunity which has been provided by the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) and look forward to how this initiative is going shape our future.
The GCC — which includes fourteen founding members, two advisors, six associates and twelve contributors — is a non-profit organisation which responds to the specific environmental concerns of the art world. The founding committee which consists of industry-leading professionals, is paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The GCC aims to reduce carbon footprint by 50% over the next ten years, in line with the Paris agreement, and promote zero-waste activities in the industry.
Focused upon providing the necessary resources and tools for galleries, artists and art world professionals, there is an abundance of materials on the website to help guide, inform and educate the industry on the positive changes it can instigate. These resources focus on shipping, packaging, travel, recycling, energy, offsetting, gallery spaces and digital.
One of the most influential tools provided by the GCC is the carbon calculator. This free online tool will estimate the carbon footprint of art businesses based upon the metrics most common to art galleries operating in the international art world. “Central to this project is a carbon calculator specifically tailored to our industry. This provides users with a general overview to determine and monitor their carbon footprint, and will be freely available for use by GCC members” (GCC). If utilised successfully, this tool will provide valuable insight into the operations of your art business and the art world at large.
The carbon calculator, created by Artlogic Founder and CEO Peter Chater, has the potential to revolutionise the way we run our business. There is no longer any excuse.
Achieving the goal of reducing our carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 can only happen if we start today. The GCC aims to provide website content that inspires, educates and – crucially – offers practical tools and information to help members reduce their impact on the planet. Anyone can join today and use tools like our custom Carbon Calculator, built for the art world, to make informed, planet-friendly choices about how they travel, transport artworks and consume energy. Members who share their results will help the GCC measure the industry's progress towards its carbon reduction goals. We believe we can be more effective and bring about greater change if we work together.
— Artlogic Founder and CEO Peter Chater
This is my call to action, my war cry. Let us implement positive change across the industry. Check out the Gallery Climate Coalition Website to learn more.
You can donate and sign up as a member to become a part of our a sustainable art world.
Further Reading:
An Envoy of Eco-Conscious Art Dealers and Insiders Have Created a Simple Tool to Help the Industry Reduce Its Carbon Footprint
Galleries Start to Clean Up Their Environmental Act
How Green is Your Gallery?
Lorna Tiller,
MADE IN BED Founder