Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2025

Our Vision

Creative Glasgow actively contributes to a more sustainable creative and cultural sector in Greater Glasgow.

Introduction to our Environmental Sustainability Policy

Creative Glasgow is dedicated to promoting the long-term growth of Glasgow’s Creative and Cultural Industries, while prioritising sustainability in every aspect of our operations. As a membership organisation, we support our members in developing sustainable careers and businesses, and we recognise our responsibility to lead by example in addressing the climate emergency and fostering an environmentally responsible creative sector. Our sustainability approach focuses on minimising our environmental impact, empowering our members, and supporting the broader transition to a Net Zero future.

The Creative Glasgow team will review and update this document regularly, with the next update scheduled in late 2025.

As a learning organisation we are committed to continuous improvement in our sustainability-related policies and actions and will evaluate the impact of any activity or changes.

Creative Glasgow are committed to publishing the outcomes of our Sustainability Monitoring and action plan annually on our website.

Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

A. Sustainable Practices in Operations

At Creative Glasgow, we integrate sustainable practices across all aspects of our work to reduce our environmental footprint:

• Resource Efficiency: We strive to minimise waste and energy consumption in all our operations. Our office uses eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient lighting, and digital platforms to limit paper use. We encourage our members to adopt similar sustainable practices in their own businesses.
• Hybrid Working: We embrace a hybrid working model, combining remote and office work, reducing the need for travel and office energy consumption. Our office is based in Civic House, a carbon-neutral building that underwent a Passivhaus retrofit in 2021, helping reduce energy demand and generate more energy than it consumes.
• Sustainable Transport: We promote the use of sustainable transport options, including cycling, walking, and public transport, for staff, members, and event participants. Creative Glasgow shares a space with Sustrans, and we encourage the use of local cycling hubs for sustainable commuting.

B. Supporting Members and Sustainable Growth

As a membership organisation, Creative Glasgow aims to help our members develop sustainable businesses and careers in the creative and cultural sectors:

• Skills Development: We provide training and resources to help our members adopt sustainable business practices, focusing on reducing their environmental impact and creating long-term, eco-conscious growth strategies.
• Networking and Partnerships: We foster connections between creative practitioners across disciplines, encouraging collaborations that emphasise sustainability. By partnering with like-minded organisations, we help our members access resources, share best practices, and expand their reach both locally and internationally.
• Sustainable Funding and Advocacy: We support our members in securing funding for sustainable projects and advocate for policies that promote environmental responsibility within the creative and cultural industries.

C. Commitment to Net Zero and Emissions Reduction

Creative Glasgow is committed to reducing our carbon emissions and supporting our members in aligning with a pathway to Net Zero. Our actions include:

• Sustainable Transportation: We encourage members, staff, and event attendees to use sustainable transport options, such as public transport, cycling, or carpooling, to reduce emissions associated with commuting and travel.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling: We advocate for waste minimisation and recycling in our own operations and encourage our members to adopt these practices in their businesses. This includes responsible disposal of materials, and the use of recyclable, reusable, and eco-friendly products.
• Green Procurement: When making purchasing decisions, we prioritise environmentally responsible suppliers and products, considering factors such as energy efficiency, the use of recycled materials, and the overall environmental impact of the products.
• Remote Work and Digital Innovation: We support remote work practices and encourage our members to leverage digital platforms to minimise the need for travel, thereby reducing emissions associated with commuting and business travel.

D. Climate Emergency and Management Practices

Creative Glasgow is dedicated to addressing the climate emergency through sustainable management and operational practices. Key initiatives include:

• Environmental Impact Policy: Our policy guides our staff, members, and collaborators in considering the environmental impact of their work and decisions, and ensures sustainability is at the core of our organisational culture.
• Risk Management: We assess the risks posed by climate change as part of our organisational risk register, identifying strategies to mitigate these risks and build resilience within our organisation and membership.
• Education and Awareness: We provide regular training and resources to educate our team and members about environmental sustainability and the climate crisis, encouraging proactive steps to reduce their environmental impact.
• Sustainable Procurement: We prioritise sustainable procurement practices, ensuring our purchases support businesses with strong environmental credentials, use eco-friendly materials, and promote circular economy principles.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: We seek partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to sustainability, helping our members gain access to valuable resources, funding, and collaborative opportunities that prioritise environmental responsibility.
• Continuous Improvement: We regularly review our sustainability practices to ensure continuous improvement. We gather feedback from our members and stakeholders to adapt our policies and practices to reflect new opportunities and challenges.

Summary

Creative Glasgow is committed to leading the way in promoting sustainability across Glasgow’s Creative and Cultural Industries. By implementing environmentally responsible practices, supporting our members in their sustainable growth, and fostering partnerships for a more sustainable future, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to both the local and global efforts to combat climate change. Through innovation, education, and advocacy, we will continue to drive positive change within the creative sector, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for all.

Monitoring And Reporting Our Progress

We will employ various methods to monitor our progress against targets. These include:

1. Monitoring our annual Carbon Footprint

We will track our carbon footprint using best practice guidance from Creative Carbon Scotland. This includes measuring emissions from key areas such as office energy use, travel, and waste. Our goal is to reduce emissions year-on-year, with detailed analysis of the impact of operational changes.

2. Documenting our procurement processes

We will track all procurement decisions to ensure they align with sustainable sourcing principles. This includes documenting purchases made from environmentally responsible suppliers, the use of recycled materials, and products that are energy-efficient or support circular economy principles.

3. Tracking waste reduction and resource efficiency

We will regularly monitor and report on our waste generation and recycling rates, aiming for continuous reduction. This includes tracking paper usage, energy consumption, and the effectiveness of waste minimisation strategies in the office and at events.

4. Assessing the impact of sustainable transport initiatives

We will monitor the adoption of sustainable transport options by staff, members, and event participants. This includes tracking how many people use public transport, cycle, or walk to our events, as well as measuring the reduction in carbon emissions resulting from the promotion of alternative transport choices.

5. Measuring member engagement and impact on sustainability practices

We will track the participation of our members in sustainability-related initiatives, training programs, and collaborative projects. We will measure the success of these initiatives through feedback surveys and case studies, aiming to demonstrate a tangible impact on members’ own sustainability efforts and identify where further education or support is needed.

This valuable data plays a vital role in informing our online programming decisions, operational activities, and budget allocation processes. To that effect we will actively monitor and document how we use the data and the impact of any changes we make as a result of it.

We will publish a digest of our sustainability-related actions, carbon monitoring results, and progress annually. Our next report will be published in September 2025.

Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

Do you have a question or comment relating to this plan, or a suggestion for how to improve or update it?

We are always eager to learn, and actively invite our members and networks to inform our work in this area.

Contact us info@creativeglasgow.co.uk