How to take the train to... Frieze London
Stepping on a plane is the single most carbon-polluting action we can take as an individual in our everyday lives.
The data we’ve collected through GCC’s carbon calculator shows that air travel is typically one of the biggest contributors to most arts organisations’ carbon footprints. For smaller organisations, sending a team on one long-haul return flight could make annual CO2 emissions double.
But the art sector is an international community built on connection, and it’s not always realistic for us to stop travelling entirely. So how can we meaningfully address the impact of flying, meet 2030 emissions reductions targets, and continue to meet and connect with each other?
Over the summer months many of us are considering our travel plans for the rest of the year, including travel to Frieze London in October. It’s time to consider how we can break out of old habits and reshape the sector for the better.
Climate Conscious Travel
At GCC we advocate for climate conscious travel. This means seriously considering the impact of our journeys.
We define climate conscious travel as:
· Having an awareness of the environmental impacts of travel
· Reducing our reliance on travel wherever possible
· Planning schedules in advance
· Choosing a method of travel that limits damaging impacts when travel is necessary.What does this mean in practice?
For those visiting London in October, there are many ways to take a climate conscious approach.
While long-distance flights produce more carbon, short-haul flights have a greater relative impact, because they spend less time at cruising altitude. Over short distances, there are many realistic alternatives to flying.
So, if you’re travelling within Europe, GCC encourages everyone to take the #TrainToFrieze. Rail travel is the fastest and most practical alternative to getting on a plane.
While the journey time may be longer, inter-city train journeys that take you from centre to centre can save time spent travelling to and from airports and time spent in transit. For some routes, the overall difference is negligible.
It’s also worth considering how we think about our journeys. With more comfortable seating, extra space, WiFi connectivity, and power sockets, train journeys can be treated as a more scenic day in the office. Meanwhile, stopovers and connections can be a chance to take in other cities—if you’re travelling to London from Milan, could you plan some meetings or an exhibition visit in Paris en route?
Travel costs are important, but train travel between well-connected cities, especially if you book far in advance, can be similar in price to short-haul flights.
We’ve compared emissions to Frieze London from Paris, Berlin, and Milan:
What about longer distances?
For distances where train travel or other ground transport options aren’t realistic, there are still actions you can take to reduce the impact of your flight.
Flying economy results in 4-5 times less carbon being emitted than flying in a first-class seat. This is because first-class seats take up more space and resources on the plane.
Different flight routes and airlines can have different levels of emissions. This is because newer planes are more fuel efficient. These newer planes, especially ones that operate at full capacity and carry cargo, can result in emissions that are up to 50% lower. Choosing to fly direct also reduces the impact of your journey.
Changing the culture
The arts sector isn’t alone in needing to address its travel habits: many industries rely on frequent, high-impact international travel. It’s time for all of us to consider how we can change long-held norms and create a new climate conscious culture.
It might seem that one less flight to London won’t make much of a difference, but together, the collective impact could be transformative.
Sharing tips and ideas is another way to help everyone in the community make meaningful changes.
If you’re making plans for Frieze this October, GCC encourages everyone who is able to take the #TrainToFrieze and share your travel plans with us.
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For more information and guidance on developing a climate conscious travel policy, visit GCC’s best practice guidelines on Travel.
