We are currently supporting both the German Federal Cultural Foundation (KSB) and the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Foundation (KSS) in implementing climate projects in the cultural sector. We gained experience in this area during the KSB's pilot project "Climate Balances in Cultural Institutions" in 2020. At that time, we assisted 19 cultural institutions in developing a greenhouse gas (GHG) balance sheet for Scopes 1, 2, and 3, as well as a program of measures for avoiding and reducing emissions. The results of the climate balances in cultural institutions can be found here.
The path to greenhouse gas neutrality is long and requires cooperation from all sectors and stakeholders. The arts and culture sector also wants to contribute to emissions reduction. Whether theaters, libraries, concert halls, or museums – the relevance of greenhouse gas accounting in the cultural sector is increasing.
Nationwide funding program “Zero”
With its funding program "Zero – Climate-Neutral Arts and Culture Projects," the KSB supports cultural institutions from various disciplines in developing climate-neutral arts and culture projects. In the first funding round from 2022 to 2025, the KSB is supporting 25 projects to initiate a reorientation of the German cultural landscape towards sustainable and climate-friendly cultural production. Within the project, we primarily provide individual consultations to the participating institutions. Together, we create a corporate carbon footprint (CCF) and a project carbon footprint (PCF). The projects considered in the "Zero" program are to be implemented as climate-friendly as possible; each project includes mitigation measures – any remaining emissions are offset at the end. The KSB has already announced a second application round for the program, in which another 20 projects are to be funded from 2024 to 2027.
“Climate protection in cultural institutions” in Baden-Württemberg
The way food is KS extension The project supports cultural institutions in creating processes and structures for greater climate protection within the sector, thereby contributing to more greenhouse gas-neutral operations in the long term. Since the end of 2022, ten selected cultural institutions have been developing expertise in greenhouse gas accounting and the development of measures through workshops, training courses, and individual consultations. The KSS publishes the materials developed after the program's conclusion to provide the cultural sector with a toolbox for independent accounting and the development of measures. We support this process by conducting the workshops and providing individual consultations to develop carbon footprints and a customized mitigation pathway with quantified measures.
Contact persons at Arqum: Giovanna Lobsien, Ellen Leibing
Find out more about our consulting services regarding carbon footprints here.