The Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), a London-based organization with 2,000 members across 60 countries, released a report titled "Five-Year Review of Climate Action in the Visual Arts" during London Art+Climate Week, timed with the UN climate summit Cop30 in Brazil. The report reveals that 80 percent of members who began tracking their carbon footprint in 2019 have reduced their impact by 25 percent, and are on track to cut emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Key sources of emissions include shipping, air travel, and energy use, accounting for 80 to 95 percent of members' carbon output. Christie's London, which hosted a launch event, reported a 69 percent reduction in emissions from 2019 to 2024 through renewable energy and reduced catalog publishing.
This report matters because it provides the first comprehensive data on the visual arts sector's climate impact, showing that targeted action can yield significant reductions. GCC chair Frances Morris, former Tate Modern director, emphasized that the next five years will define the art sector's legacy in the climate transition. The findings challenge the art world to move beyond technical fixes toward cultural transformation, positioning art as a critical force in addressing broader environmental crises. With major institutions like MoMA, Art Basel, and Hauser & Wirth among its members, the GCC's progress signals a growing industry-wide commitment to sustainability.