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Arnolfini - est 1961
Arnolfini - est 1961

Arnolfini Sustainability Statement 2024

At Arnolfini we are committed to addressing the climate emergency and the challenges we now face.

Over 700,000 people visit Arnolfini at the iconic Bush House, each year and we understand our role and impact on the environment, particularly the high use of energy, international shipping of artworks and the materials that go into making every exhibition, event and workshop happen.

We need to act urgently to reduce these impacts in line with what the science is telling us. As arts organisations, we have an opportunity and responsibility to use our public platform to develop, share and support our team, partners, local communities and wider audiences to take positive action.

We recognise the connections between the climate crisis and other global injustices. In 2022 we joined our partners UWE Bristol, committing to a sustainability action plan which will assess our progress on an ongoing basis in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

please click here to learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

What we’re doing 

We have made a commitment to:

Achieve net-zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. 

Reduce our 50% Scope 3 emissions by 2030.

(GCC are recommending all members reduce their carbon emissions to at least 50% by 2030 and near zero waste operations by 2030 where facilities allow).

How we will achieve it

We will reduce the emissions from our home at Bush House to zero as quickly as the technology allows, recognising the challenges of our listed building status.

What have we done so far?

  • 100% of our electricity is renewable, with 20% secured from UK wind farms.
  • Replaced older, inefficient lighting with LED in all our galleries, with plans to continue this switch with the remaining lights.
  • Actively reusing and recycling our exhibition display and build materials.
  • Reducing our printed matter by no longer publishing flyers for exhibitions or events. For posters our printers use recycled material and sustainable ink.
  • Working with transport companies and lenders to reduce the impact of artwork transportation and have joined the Gallery Climate Coalition’s Sustainable Shipping Campaign.
  • Established a Green Team bringing together staff across the organisation to find ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and track progress.
  • Joined UWE’s skills for clean growth programme.
  • Our café run by Bristol Beer Factory serves locally sourced, seasonal food and sustainable and ethically traded coffees.

The majority of the team are Bristol-based and travel to Arnolfini on foot, using public transport and by bicycle. We have a well-used bike rack in our main office.

Bookcases from Stephen Gill’s exhibition in 2021 we repurposed to become…
…Easels for everyone to get creative in the Community Workshop and Reading Room.

What do we aim to achieve?

  • Regularly calculating the carbon footprint of our operations, using a bespoke de-carbonisation action plan with milestones and targets and publicly sharing this information.
  • Install energy sub-meters so we can have more detailed insight into energy consumption.
  • Reduced winter heating temperatures in order to save energy.
  • Ensuring the majority of our international shipping is carried out by
    sea, rail or road rather than air by 2028.
  • Working with our UWE partners to replace all fossil gas heating systems with electric heat pumps or other appropriate technology before 2030.
  • Ensuring all of our packing materials are reusable or curbside recyclable by 2026, as a step towards zero-waste operations by 2030.
  • Provide internal sustainability training include Carbon Literacy Training for all team members
  • Engage our audiences in conversations around the environment and climate justice through our public programme.
  • Contribute and increase the biodiversity in the immediate outdoor space by providing forage and pollinator corridors.
Works from Garry Fabian Miller's Adore exhibition at Arnolfini 2023 in Gallery One against Deep Space Blue paint supplied by the Little Greene Paint Company.
Works from Garry Fabian Miller’s Adore exhibition at Arnolfini 2023 in Gallery One against Deep Space Blue paint supplied by the Little Greene Paint Company.
Artist Anya Paintsil with her work Cwy mpo ni’n dau, wel dyna i chi dric! (We both fall over that’s the trick) 2022 against a wall painted with the Little Greene Paint Company's Mister David.
Artist Anya Paintsil with her work Cwy mpo ni’n dau, wel dyna i chi dric! (We both fall over that’s the trick) 2022 against a wall painted with the Little Greene Paint Company’s Mister David.

What’s next?

We would love any feedback from you on how Arnolfini can be a more environmentally friendly place to visit. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, or if you would like to work in partnership with us, please get in touch by emailing info@arnolfini.org.uk.

an exterior image of Arnolfini, from across the water. In the foreground, three people are travelling in a rowing boat.
Explore alternative ways to get to Arnolfini.
Please click here if you are planning on visiting us, for information on making your visit eco-friendly.

We will be sharing more information and updates about our sustainability journey on our social media and newsletters.

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All photographic images by *Lisa Whiting Photography for Arnolfini, all rights reserved.

*Lisa is Bristol-based and travels to and from Arnolfini by bike or on foot 🙂