At Ramsay Fairs we believe the art world has an important role to play in inspiring and taking positive environmental action.

As an arts organisation with international reach, we have an opportunity to use our public platform and cultural influence to set a positive example, encouraging and supporting others to take action and help shift the public debate.

As an organisation, we are Active Members of the Gallery Climate Coalition and Art Fair Resource Group. As part of the group, we pledge:

• To reduce our environmental impact and collaborate with the sector to share practical advice and peer learning in the Art Fair Toolkit for Environmental Responsibility.

• Annually calculate the carbon footprint of our operations, to track progress towards an ambition of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 - in alignment with the UN’s Net Zero Coalition target of 45% reduction of global emissions by 2030.

• To set specific targets for the major parts of our footprint, including:

  • Staff travel

  • Shipping and freight

  • Buildings

  • Events

  • Reducing waste

Making our business more sustainable is a continuous process and we are actively working to make meaningful changes while navigating the complexities and contradictions that come with shifting industry practices. We have been implementing a range of initiatives to create real impact while refining our approach along the way. So far this year, we have taken the following actions to map out our path toward these goals:

• Created an annual emission count utilising the Gallery Climate Coalition Carbon Calculator to measure year on year emissions across our organisation.

• Explored alternative shipment options for our international exhibitors including alternatives to air freight, consolidated shipment from galleries located in the same locale and encourage our exhibitors to take action, or to switch to alternative suppliers who will.

• Discussed with our suppliers about more environmentally friendly options and are part of the Gallery Climate Coalition’s Art Fair Resource Group to share peer learning across the whole sector.

• We are reviewing our staff travel policies and practices and will be planning our attendance at international events to reduce the need for air travel.

• Establish and maintain a Green Team with representatives from different parts of the organisation, that meets at least once a month to develop the actions and targets, track progress and communicate these internally.

 Following guidance from the Gallery Climate Coalition, we are setting aside a Strategic Climate Fund, rather than purchasing carbon offsets. This money will be spent on measures to accelerate our emissions reductions, and support frontline climate solutions around the world that are making a difference right now. We will report on how we spent this money at the end of each financial year.

We have set these targets and are taking actions in the knowledge that we aren’t yet doing everything right. Evolution is a key value at Ramsay Fairs and we believe that progress is better than stalling in search of perfection. We still have a great deal to do and much to learn. We welcome feedback from our artists, audiences and stakeholders on this environmental statement, our targets, and on our plans for action.

Please contact the Ramsay Fairs Green team via the contact form here with any questions.