Since 2013 Ikon has worked to reduce the gallery’s energy consumption and carbon footprint. We aim to reduce CO2 emissions by a minimum of 50% by 2030 (based on 2018-19 emissions).
Ikon works closely with artwork lenders and conservators to reduce energy emissions that would usually be expended on maintaining gallery spaces’ climate controls.
Our energy, water and waste is regularly measured and monitored and reported annually to Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Climate Tools to determine our carbon footprint.
Ikon is committed to sourcing building energy supplies from providers who heavily or solely invest in renewable energy. Our 100% renewable tariffs from electricity provider Ecotricity and gas provider Crown Gas & Power are, importantly, not based on REGO certificate offsetting and so are directly funding the expansion of renewable energy. Both suppliers are making a positive difference to displace the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Capital investment funding from Arts Council England has enabled Ikon to upgrade systems and infrastructure to reduce energy consumption and develop sustainable operations – including new boilers, reusable wall system, LED lighting throughout, cloud-based IT infrastructure and much more.
Ikon has had a no skip policy since 2013. We have been able to reduce waste volumes through a revised procurement strategy, re-using and re-purposing materials in our exhibitions and re-housing or recycling other waste streams.
Sustainability was an important aspect of the recent shop refurbishment brief from design, through demolition to refurbishment and fabrication. Major elements of the original shop shelving system were retained and complimented. No skips were used and no waste went to landfill – all waste was responsibly processed and repurposed.
Ikon actively and regularly engages with and contributes to local, national and international groups and symposiums, within the cultural sector and beyond, that are committed to climate responsibility and actions. These include Sustainable Arts West Midlands, Gallery Climate Coalition, Plus Tate and Ki Culture.
Ikon also raises awareness about the impact of climate change through its artistic and educational programmes, which address issues of inequality – focusing on social and climate justice – supporting the health and wellbeing of local and international communities and ecologies.
THE END OF FUN! (2020) by Czech artist Krištof Kintera was a timely exhibition probing the apocalyptic environmental issues we currently face and Dear Nature (2020) by Birmingham-born artist John Newling highlighted the need for a closer connection with, and greater understanding of, the natural world.
Britta Marakatt-Labba’s exhibition Under the Vast Sky (2022) highlighted the impact of climate change on the Sámi people, the Indigenous population of the northernmost parts of Scandinavia, and Meryl McMaster’s exhibition As Immense as the Sky (2019-2020) referenced the dangers of unsustainable land usage and the erasure of key species within ancestral ecosystems in her native Canadian environment.
Ikon Youth Programme’s new period of activity (2024-2027) sees the group focus on environmental issues, combating the climate crisis and harnessing the power of young people to lead on climate change. Likewise, Ikon’s programme for families features artists such as Hipkiss & Graney who have a strong interest in ecologies and sustainable communities.
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IKON GALLERY
1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace
Birmingham, B1 2HS
GALLERY: +44 (0)121 248 0708
SHOP: +44 (0)121 248 0711
Ikon is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and Birmingham City Council.
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