Home

Welcome to the Gallery Climate Coalition

The GCC evolved out of a shared concern across the commercial art world that not enough was being done to tackle our collective environmental impact. Although public institutions have been taking significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint and control waste for some time, there seemed to be a lack of equivalent initiatives in the commercial sector. This prompted a group of us to set about  developing the tools, strategies, and research required to help make a positive change. This is a work in progress. We hope you will join us and make this coalition as effective as possible.

OVERVIEW

The goal of the GCC is to facilitate a greener and more sustainable commercial art world. The aim is to provide guidelines and the necessary resources so that we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint by 50% over the next ten years (in line with the Paris agreement), as well as promoting near zero-waste practices.

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.

In addition, our website also contains information on a range of issues including shipping and travelling, packaging, energy and building management, recycling, and more. This content is a starting point for a forum to be revised and continually updated as the scientific consensus evolves over the coming years. We welcome input - ideas, information, research - from our members. Data collated (anonomously) via the carbon calculator will also help track progress across our sector.

The GCC understands that the effects, causes, and mitigation of the climate crisis often have a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities globally. Given that socio-economic injustice and the environmental crisis are deeply entwined, it is essential for us to address both issues in tandem. Going forward, the GCC will be proactive in these conversations, particularly where they intersect with the arts.

We believe we can be more effective and bring about greater change if we work together to form a coalition of active members from across the art world. The GCC and this website originated in London, but we are open to everyone and we aim to be joined by galleries, institutions, suppliers, art workers and artists from all over the world. We are in contact with parallel initiatives in other countries and look forward to collaborating with them. 

The GCC is a not-for-profit organisation supported by voluntary donations and in-kind support.

Members are asked to contribute a voluntary donation at the point of joining. All funds raised through membership or other donations will be used to sustain and expand day-to-day operations, conduct research, develop new tools, and host ongoing events.

BECOME A MEMBER

COALITION COMMITMENT

GCC members will:

• Commit to a carbon estimate using the GCC online calculator. Carry out more detailed carbon audits to monitor sources of emissions that need reducing, and to track ongoing progress. Contact us for details on how to do this.

• Commit to implement changes in operations to reduce carbon footprints by 50% over the next ten years.

• Reduce waste.

• Compensate emissions by donating to companies committed to systemic change.

• Recognise and work towards mitigating embedded climate injustice.

In turn, GCC aims to:

• Make its calculator freely available to members.
• Provide reliable and actionable information and advice.

• Leverage our members and community to lobby for industry-wide systemic change.

• Support an active forum for sharing information, ideas, and expertise.

• Arrange events and webinars on a range of topics.

• Develop new reports, research, and tools over the coming years.
  

INTERVIEWS

Our video platform begins with five films featuring key voices in the arts and beyond. Below are abridged versions. To watch the full length interviews click here.