Get started:
01. Get in the Know
02. Make a Climate Commitment
03. Measure Emissions
04. Dig Deeper
Learn the language around climate. Understand the global, national and local goals to align efforts accordingly. Stay connected with the visual arts’ movement toward climate action with relevant news.
Local and Global Climate Action Goals
One NYC 2050: NYC’S Green New Deal
NYC Climate Mobilization Act
NYC Legislation Round-Up
The Paris Agreement
The Biden Adminstration
Visual Arts + Climate News
A compilation of recent news on the accelerating climate action in our sector
Art to Zero advocates for setting 50% emission reduction goals by 2030, and making this commitment alongside other organizations. These partners have opportunities to join their networks and collectively make targeted commitments.
Started in London by a collective of contemporary gallerists + peers, this initiative focuses on the commercial art sector to half operational emissions by 2030, sharing data + prioritized resources for getting started.
A global initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the We Mean Business coalition and the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, SME is a one stop shop for small and medium sized businesses around the globe to take climate action. Nonprofit and institutional actors can commit to 50% reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Emissions Calculators Relevant For Our Sector
There are many carbon footprint calculators available. Art to Zero suggests these as most relevant to visual arts organizations in the US.
Berkeley Cool Climate
This user-friendly calculator will provide an overview of total emissions from scopes 1, 2 and 3. Scope 3 emissions calculations are made simple, drawing on data from travel and spending on procurement. This calculator will suit a business that does not manufacture goods and for broad strokes assessments.
Gallery Climate Coalition Calculator
Developed by GCC with Art Logic, this is a new tool specifically designed for our sector and art galleries in mind.
Art World Offset
NY-based artist Peter Halley’s 2019 initiative for artist studios, this is an aggregated a great list of useful calculators.
Building Energy Exchange LL97 Calculator
A new tool that estimates a NYC’s building's carbon budget as prescribed in NYC Local Law 97.
Measurement Resource Guides
Measure What Matters
from B Corp, courtesy SME Climate Hub - While this tool is aimed at certified B Corps, many helpful links for our US-based sector. Reducing Directly, Reducing Indirectly, Reducing Broadly, and Balancing offers an accessible framework for climate action.
Tips and Tricks to Simplify Measuring Your Footprint
(Forthcoming from Art to Zero)
Balancing Out What Can’t Be Reduced
There are many strategies for balancing out carbon emissions while making progress to zero-emissions including certified offsets, natural climate solutions, and climate justice initiatives.
Education on balancing and offsetting
General Education from The NRDC
Donate to Natural Climate Solutions
Based on the conservation, restoration and management of forests, grasslands and wetlands, this can deliver up to a third of the global emission reductions needed by 2030. Learn more from WWF.
Art to Zero suggests balancing out what can’t be reduced with the following resources.
Galleries Commit x Art to Acres
A unique, worker-led conservation partnership permanently protecting ecologically vital and vulnerable land through collective contributions by the visual art sector. Permanent, old-growth forest conservation prevents carbon emissions released during deforestation while simultaneously protecting an ecosystem's wildlife, habitat, clean water, and local community. Contributions can be made as one part of a carbon accounting focused on reducing emissions or as standalone donations.
Art to Acres supports individually funded large-scale conservation efforts and acre-based US conservation. Contact Art to Acres for more info. on these projects.
Art to Zero’s partner KI CULTURE has compiled a list of certified and verifiable offsetting programs cultural heritage colleagues support. Learn More here
Art to Zero’s compilation of resources for getting started on climate action is just beginning. If you have a tool or resource to recommend for our sector, please get in touch.
Do you have questions on getting started? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
