FAQ: CLIMATE IMPACT REPORT
Climate impact reports are designed to give collaborators greater insight into the climate impact of the projects on which they work, to provide a framework for dialogue within the project team, and to promote a practice of transparency of climate impact within the sector.
What’s involved in doing a Climate Impact Report?
Reports are self-directed and can be as involved as the artist and the presenting partner choose to make them, and can focus on the areas that the project team is most excited to explore.
Ideally, a report addresses each of the following four areas in some capacity:
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First Step:
Assess carbon emissions of flights, airfreight, and electricity that is used directly by the artwork.
Ideas to go further:
Use this as a chance to assess the carbon of building energy as a whole, staff commutes, packaging, printing, food/drink from related events, etc.
Make a commitment to reduction targets.
Make a Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) donation to protect stored carbon.
Resources:
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First Step:
Complete a material afterlife map for all artwork and exhibition material.
Ideas to go further:
Post material for re-use on a resource sharing platform like Barder.art.
Use this as a chance to explore alternatives to common high impact waste areas such as finding alternative crate solutions, eliminating single use plastic, or avoiding toxic or non-biodegradable materials .
Consider making a commitment to a zero-waste project.
Resources:
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First Step:
Have a conversation with your team about what they need in order to feel supported to complete a Climate Impact Report.
Ideas to go further:
Use the report checklist to discuss within the project team whether the team feels like it adequately supported the people working on it.
Consider sharing what was done and anything learned with others in the art sector via the Report.
Make policies supporting people transparent.
Resources:
Use the Checklist in the CIR Template as a guide
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First Step:
Share the Climate Impact Report!
Ideas to go further:
Invite other artists, presenting partners, or staff departments to work on a Report at the same time.
Ensure other artists/presenting partners you work with know this is a framework available to guide projects.
Share what was learned with your audiences.
Ask project partners about their own climate policies, commitments, or priorities.
Make yourself available to support other artists or institutions interested in doing their first climate impact report.
Resources:
A Climate Impact Report Template can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aADYPluG71uEl-l3K3lJeXz4V2eTEOUbBaf-qjOpAIA
A Data Collection form can be accessed here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qRBFFIeW5jx6UxyIr_Ex68dIhOhHlyoMFL19ikDy5sI
For support filling out the Climate Impact Report, email artistscommit@gmail.com, or get in touch with one of the artists or presenting partners that have previously submitted a report for advice.
Let us know when you are working on one!
When complete, submit via the form submission at the link, or send the google doc directly to artistscommit@gmail.com.
Watch our How To Webinar
How To: Climate Impact Report with Allison Janae Hamilton, Deville Cohen, Robin F. Williams, Laura Lupton, Jessica Gath, and Davide Balula.
Explore more examples of climate action and reporting methods
Artists Commit Climate Impact Reports are one way of guiding conversations that support climate-conscious, resilient, and equitable projects, but artists and institutions all over are starting to take action in the ways that make the most sense for them.