Greener venues and events
Signatories pledged to improve energy efficiency in cultural buildings. Measures could include upgrading to renewable energy sources, enhancing insulation, and investing in smart thermostats. Cities also aim to promote sustainability criteria for new cultural constructions. In addition, the Call to Action advocates assessing and reducing emissions from cultural events. Strategies include selecting low-impact materials, minimizing waste, and offering sustainable catering and transport options. Cities agreed to guide venues and organizers in calculating and offsetting their carbon footprints.
The city museums in Reims have led the ecological transition in the cultural sector. Bologna transformed Piazza Rossini, a historically significant public space turned into a pedestrian green area. The Manchester Arts Sustainability Team (MAST) achieved a 16% emissions reduction over three years. Greentrack Ghent, a network of cultural organizations in the Belgian city, is making efforts to achieve greater sustainability.
Rethinking public art and heritage
To turn the commitments into reality, cities plan to develop sustainability roadmaps for their cultural sectors. These will have clear targets, timelines, and budgets. Progress will be tracked through regular monitoring and reporting. The Call to Action invites national governments to support cities through funding schemes and legislation. Cooperation across levels of government is deemed essential to drive the transition to a low-carbon culture.
Image via Eurocities
