Creative Climate announced its commitment to placing the arts at the forefront of Australia’s climate transformation – supporting the creative industries to address the climate crisis and reframe systems, narratives and practices for a climate-aligned future.
Creative Climate is a national consortium dedicated to building a low-carbon, adaptive and regenerative arts sector. As part of a broader movement, it recognises culture is both shaped by the climate crisis and instrumental in reshaping it.
Funded by Creative Australia over four years, the consortium is led by Green Music Australia and brings together A Climate for Art, Centre for Reworlding and pvi collective, alongside facilitators Angharad Wynne-Jones and Catherine Jones, with environmental consultant Matt Wicking.
Through policy advocacy, sector engagement and capacity building, the alliance provides practical tools, tailored insights and coordinated leadership to help the creative sector transition away from a carbon-based economy and adapt to climate impacts.
Creative Climate’s work is guided by four strategic 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
Creative sector priorities
Between February and June 2025, Creative Climate consulted with over 40 practitioners as part of an ongoing effort to engage the sector. While there is strong commitment to climate action, the consultations revealed several key needs and gaps:
- Accessible tools and peer learning opportunities
- Enhanced leadership support and climate governance strategies
- Guidance to prevent greenwashing and build climate literacy
- First Nations-led frameworks and cultural protocols
- Residencies and networks to foster grassroots action
- Dedicated funding for climate initiatives
- Tailored support to embed decarbonisation and regenerative practices
Upcoming initiatives and programs
Creative Climate urges the creative sector to act now by assessing climate risks, setting policies, tracking emissions, engaging stakeholders and embedding decarbonisation and nature-first approaches into daily operations.
In two-year partnership with British Council Australia, Creative Climate is delivering programs connecting practitioners in the UK and Australia, sharing climate knowledge and strengthening international networks.
The consortium is developing a free, Australia-specific carbon calculator to help arts organisations better understand their emissions ahead of upcoming mandatory climate-related financial disclosures – marking a significant step toward greater transparency and accountability in its sector.
Artists, organisations and institutions are invited to join this collective shift by placing decarbonisation, regenerative and adaptive practices, care for Country and cultural leadership in Australia’s creative future.
Upcoming Creative Climate initiatives and programs include:
Knowledge Keepers – a national First Nations-led circle of Elders, artists and knowledge holders shaping care for Country and cultural protocols.
BILYA – a relational mapping tool by Centre for Reworlding and High Volume connecting artists, funders, researchers and organisations working at the intersection of art and climate.
Adaptive Futures – an online training series with PAC Australia for performing arts venues on risk, decarbonisation, regeneration and communications.
Green Venue Certification – a pilot program led by Green Music Australia, supporting cultural venues committed to environmental action.
Planting in Naarm – a community gathering led by First Nations Elders with MAP Co, Landcare and Melbourne Water, focused on care for Country, native planting and cultural workshops at Fed Square.
COP31 planning forums – regular national gatherings facilitated by Centre for Reworlding to coordinate artist-led climate initiatives ahead of COP31 in 2026.
Podcast series – curated by A Climate for Art, featuring conversations between the UK and Australian artists and climate activists.
Creative Climate, funded by Creative Australia, is the national peak body for arts and climate, offering leadership, advocacy and resources to support artists, organisations and funders transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
Visit creativeclimate.org.au