Environmental Responsibility Statement

 

The world is facing an escalating climate and ecological crisis. In 2022, the United Nations confirmed that global efforts remain off track to limit warming to 1.5°C, with the window for meaningful action rapidly closing. The impacts — from extreme weather events to biodiversity loss, pollution, and environmental degradation — are already being felt across the globe, with marginalised communities most affected.

 

The arts sector, particularly in the Global North, has a significant environmental impact — driven by international travel, art shipping, energy consumption, and material use. London Gallery Weekend acknowledges our responsibility within this ecosystem and is committed to reducing our environmental footprint while using our platform to promote sustainable practices across the sector.

 

Our mission is to celebrate contemporary art and make it accessible as possible. To do so with integrity, we must address the environmental challenges that threaten artists, communities, and cultural ecosystems worldwide.

 

Our primary environmental impacts stem from visitor and staff travel, energy use, and event operations. In response, London Gallery Weekend commits to:

 

  • Reducing our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, using 2019 as our baseline, in line with GCC targets

  • Measuring and reporting our carbon footprint annually using the Gallery Climate Coalition’s tools

  • Establishing a Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) to support accelerated emissions reductions and invest in frontline climate solutions, with a focus on climate justice

  • Promoting climate-conscious travel through initiatives such as #TraintoLGW,  supporting European rail partnerships, and through email communications to visiting VIPs and Curators

  • Using only electric vehicles for official transport and prioritising local suppliers to minimise carbon emissions

  • Embedding sustainability guidance within our Gallery Handbook and developing digital tools to spotlight GCC member galleries

  • Gathering data through public and VIP surveys, helping us understand and reduce the impact of visitor travel


The actions we are taking to meet these targets include: 

 

  • Encouraging our European counterparts in ‘The Spider’ network to join GCC and become active members

  • Working with other GCC members to help develop more sustainable signage for LGW and energy-saving solutions for the whole sector

  • Speaking to our suppliers and service providers about their carbon footprint, and looking for opportunities to encourage them to take action, or to switch to alternative suppliers who will

  • Maintaining an internal Green Team and establishing an LGW Green Committee with representatives from participating galleries, who meet to track progress on these targets and actions once a quarter


We recognise that addressing the climate crisis is inseparable from tackling global inequalities. Our environmental actions will be guided by the principles of climate justice, ensuring that our efforts support the needs of those most affected by climate and social injustice.

 

We know this is an ongoing process. London Gallery Weekend will report annually on our progress, including emissions data and SCF allocation. We welcome feedback, collaboration, and accountability from our partners, galleries, and audiences as we continue this work.

 

Last updated:  26 March 2025