Arts Sector Embarks on ‘Cultural Transformation’ Through New Climate Action Alliance
Australia’s arts sector is laying down the seeds for a greener future, by way of a new alliance.
Unveiled this week, Creative Climate is a consortium of arts figures led by Green Music Australia with a commitment to reshaping a low-carbon, adaptive and regenerative arts sector.
As part of a broader movement, a rep explains, the initiative recognises culture is both shaped by the climate crisis and instrumental in reshaping it.
Creative Australia is funding the project for four years.
“Our immediate goal with Creative Climate is to build a united, cross-sector response to the climate crisis – starting with practical support for artists and organisations to reduce their environmental impact,” Berish Bilander, CEO of Green Music Australia, tells The Music Network.
“We’re scaling up tools like Amidesi, our environmental analytics platform, and rolling out resources like the Green Venue Guide to help creatives take action now.”
Through policy advocacy, sector engagement and capacity building, Creative Climate will provide the necessary tools and know-how to help the creative sector transition away from a carbon-based economy.
Its work is guided by four pillars:
• Policy integration – embedding culture in national climate policy
• Decarbonisation – driving emissions reduction and sector resilience
• Cultural transformation – using arts and culture to shift narratives and inspire climate action
• First Nations leadership – investing in Indigenous-led cultural frameworks and care for Country
The alliance is formed following sector-wide consultation. From those meetings, a blueprint was created to address the needs and wants of industry, including guidance on “greenwashing” and climate literacy, First Nations-led frameworks, dedicated funding for climate action, support to embed decarbonisation and regeneration, and more.
“This is more than a launch,” a rep explains. “It’s a national call to action.”
Also, through a two-year partnership with British Council Australia, Creative Climate will deliver programs connecting and sharing knowledge between professionals in the UK and Australia.
“The British Council is proud to support the launch of Creative Climate, a vital initiative that places the arts at the heart of climate action,” comments Helen Salmon, director of British Council Australia Director. “This artist-centred consortium is exactly the kind of innovation we champion – bringing together diverse expertise to create meaningful change through creative expression. We’re delighted to collaborate in this important mission to strengthen our creative sectors for the long term, while contributing to public engagement with sustainable futures.”
Upcoming Creative Climate initiatives and programs include the “Carbon calculator”, free tool to measure emissions ahead of mandatory climate disclosures; COP31 forums, a coordinated artist-led action toward the 2026 climate summit; a Podcast series and others.
“In the long term, Creative Climate is about cultural transformation,” Bilander adds. “We’re not just tackling emissions – we’re challenging the systems and stories that created the crisis in the first place. This work includes embedding a First Nations First approach by establishing a Knowledge Keeper Circle, to centre Indigenous leadership, ways of knowing, and ongoing cultural guidance across the consortium.”
Visit creativeclimate.org.au for more.