Environmental Sustainability

Climate change and climate equality critically impact the social and financial sustainability and security of visual artists. DACS’ mission to transform the financial landscape for visual artists must be rooted in joining the fight against climate insecurity. Through convening and collaborating with our members and wider visual arts community, we hope to provide a platform for knowledge exchange on solutions and actions we can all participate in.

To be true to our values and mission, DACS must also take urgent action to reduce our own carbon emissions and impact. We have already made changes, with more to be done. Below you will find an overview of what we’ve done so far and what more we plan to do.
 

What we have done
 

• We have joined the Gallery Climate Coalition and have pledged to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030 from our 2019 baseline.
• We have launched and will maintain a Climate Crisis working group with representatives from different parts of the organisation.
• We have partnered with First Mile waste management services for compostable food waste and recycling services with zero waste to landfill.
• We have drastically reduced our paper use and printed material, including moving to digital membership forms, licence agreements and emailing members their payment statements.
• Although facilitated by two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, when travel was at its lowest worldwide, we have kept air travel to a minimum and aim to keep it at low levels by organising many of the necessary meetings online.
• We have implemented mechanisms to gather data and track and monitor our carbon emissions more effectively.
• We’ve raised awareness on sustainable practice to our membership through our Art + Environment Event series in partnership with the GCC and will keep sharing initiatives on our social platforms and other digital channels.
• We are working with environmentally responsible cleaners who use non-toxic chemicals that are safe for the environment.

• We are working hard to lower our energy emissions, which is our highest source of expenditure. This will be mediated through regular energy auditing and data analysis, improving the energy efficiency of our lighting and appliances and adjusting the operational schedule of our heating and ventilation systems.
• We recognise the importance of considering lower emissions in all aspects of our operations. This includes our online storage solutions and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. As we review and assess our current and future technology solutions, we will prioritise those with lower emissions and energy usage.
• We will work with our vendors and partners to encourage and support the development and adoption of sustainable technology solutions that align with our climate goals.
• We will use alternative, cost-effective, low emission delivery services such as bicycle couriers.
• Embed sustainability and carbon emissions within decision-making processes across the organisation.
• Continue to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices to our artist and artist estate members.
• Recycle, reuse, donate or responsibly dispose of electronic equipment and building materials.