From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has announced the preparation of a new national policy framework on culture, creativity and climate action.
The impact of climate change is increasingly apparent, with more frequent extreme weather events and growing risks to global food supplies and security. A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is required to limit temperature rises to the 1.5°C increase as committed to in the Paris Agreement and to ensure the preservation of Earth’s ecosystems. In response, the Government of Ireland has significantly expanded its climate ambitions with the enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The legislation established a legally binding target of a 51% reduction in emissions in the State by 2030, with net zero emissions no later than 2050.
The ambition of these targets, along with the challenges involved in delivering them, demands a coordinated response at both government and sectoral level. The new policy framework will mark a world first in bringing together national climate and cultural policy. It will set out the key ways in which cultural organisations can play their part in combatting climate change in the context of the national carbon emissions reduction targets.
Potential actions may include initiatives to support cultural organisations in auditing and reducing their energy use, improvements to building infrastructure, programmes that engage audiences in climate action as well as guidance on how to embed energy and waste reduction considerations into all aspects of cultural programming and operations. The Arts Council are also currently developing a Climate Action Policy, which will provide climate action resources for arts workers and organisations, including training, funding and other supports.
The proposed framework will set out three key themes for the coordination of the sector’s activities in the area of climate action:
Ensuring that concepts of climate action and environmental sustainability are at the core of organisational policy frameworks, strategies, schemes, practices and activities.
Harnessing the power of culture and creativity to provide a vision for the future. Create new narratives to communicate the challenges and impacts of climate change. Support practitioners to reach and connect with diverse audiences. Encourage creative engagement with and solutions to environmental issues.
Empowering the culture and creative sector to reduce emissions and enhancing cultural infrastructure in line with key spatial policies, including the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework. Supporting the sector in the just transition to a low carbon economy.
The National Culture, Creativity and Climate Policy Framework will be underpinned by sectoral consultation, an international evidence-base and a supportive implementation framework. The Minister is now launching a survey seeking the views of sectoral stakeholders on how the challenges involved and what measures are needed to assist the cultural sector in this transition. Your views will inform the policy objectives set out under the three themes and will be incorporated into the finalised policy framework.
This survey is a critical part of the consultation process, providing an opportunity for to inform policy and help determine how DTCAGSM can best support climate action across the cultural sector.
DTCAGSM will use the data collected to inform the development of the National Culture, Creativity and Climate Policy Framework. The data collected in this survey will not be used for any other reason and it will not be shared with any other third parties. DTCAGSM will only report on findings at an aggregate level. We will ask you at the end of the survey if you are willing to let us use any quotes from narrative responses you may have provided. Any quotes used will not be attributable to any individual.
Responding to this survey should take you no more than 20 minutes and your input is greatly appreciated. If you wish to get in touch with the department about this survey please email mark.smith@tcagsm.gov.ie
The survey will be open until 5pm on 31 July 2023.