Sustainable Creativity & Innovation Project
In accordance with our continued priority of promoting Sustainability in Edinburgh and beyond, Creative Edinburgh is delighted to be delivering The Sustainable Creativity & Innovation Project with support from the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund from October 2023 till end of March 2024. The project will strengthen Scottish creative networks through a special focus placed on supporting creative freelancers on their Net Zero journey. We will be delivering a range of workshops, events, resources and a digital platform for the benefit of the Creative Edinburgh community of 6000+ members. It is an ambitious, multifaceted initiative with the overarching goal of catalysing the widespread adoption of sustainable practices within the creative industry.
Through a strategic blend of engaging events, interactive workshops, and practical toolkits, the project is poised to equip creative SMEs and freelancers with the knowledge, tools, and motivation required to drive tangible, positive environmental change. The project will create an impact through educational sessions, and development of resources to enhance climate literacy among creative freelancers and practitioners. We aim to provide accessible platforms that demystify climate concepts, empowering participants to recognise the relevance of sustainable practices to their work and lives. By simplifying complex information and illustrating real-world applications, we foster understanding of climate change's implications and the significance of sustainable behaviours. This will allow the creative SMEs an entry point to future proof their practice and support Scotland's ambitious Net Zero goals. We aim that 1000 people will benefit from the project activity directly (by participating in events and workshops) and an estimated number of 10,000 will benefit indirectly (through engaging with online resources and campaigns).
Resources and Templates
We have created a toolkit of resources, examples and case studies for anyone searching for guidance in grounding their practice in environmental sustainability.
If you are only able to start with making one document that should be a Sustainability Policy.
If you are able to spend more time, you should focus on creating a Sustainability Policy and Action Plan. You can move onto a Carbon Management Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan and Risk Assessment when and if that feels appropriate.
For those who are looking to achieve a full set of sustainability documents, we suggest completing them in the following order. This will make the task much less daunting, without the duplication of work.
- Draft your Sustainability Policy.
- Measure your emissions and make your Carbon Management Plan.
- Draft your Climate Adaptation Plan and Climate Adaptation Risk Assessment.
- Using those documents as a guide to create your Sustainability Action Plan.
All of these should be regularly reviewed and updated.
Project Events and Workshops
SPRINGBOARD – Edinburgh local assembly for creative climate action. In collaboration with Creative Carbon Scotland and EVOC. Thursday 1 February 2024, 11:05 - 12:30 at Greyfriars Charteris Centre, in-person.
Creative Circles Sustainable Freelance Practice - Where Do We Start? Sponsored by Free Agent, facilitated by Leah McDowell. Tuesday 6 February 2024, 12 - 1.30pm (online).
How to make your freelance practice more sustainable? Creative Edinburgh members consultation, facilitated by Mary Michel from Ostrero. Tuesday 20 February 2024, 9 - 10.30am at Codebase (in person).
Creative Sectors: Sustainable Fashion and Textile Industry. In collaboration with Business Gateway, Dovecot Studios, Sustainable Fashion Scotland, Craft Scotland and Applied Arts Scotland, facilitated by Mary Michel from Ostero. Wednesday 13 March 2024, 5 - 7pm, at CodeBase (hybrid).
GreenTech Meetup. In collaboration with TechScaler & CodeBase, facilitated by Mary Michel from Ostero. Tuesday 26 March 2024, 9 - 10.30am (hybrid).
Sustainability Resources
Our free Resources Library is continuously populated with the latest links and documents to help inform freelancers and creative companies, including on the topic of Sustainability. Read more here.