After joining other 15 European networks in 2024, the AEC has worked together with Culture for Climate Scotland (CCS) to achieve the SHIFT Culture eco-guidelines for cultural networks that were developed during the original SHIFT project. This achievement highlights AEC’s commitment to the green transition and its willingness to adapt its actions to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Throughout the year, AEC implemented the mandatory norms along with some optional norms from the framework in their organisation, participated in peer audits with their fellow participants and attended a combined development workshop online. Finally, Vector42 has audited each network, which assures the credibility and integrity of the certification process.
The guidelines implemented through the eco-certificate were developed and designed specifically for and by network organisations through the SHIFT project and are structured around five chapters: Management & Policy, Communication and Awareness Raising, Travel, Events, Office and Home Office.
The participating organisations tend to be small in size but large in terms of influence with most of their environmental impact stemming from travel. While many participating organisations are stretched to capacity, the eco-guidelines provide a clear framework for effective climate action that each organisation can build on. Our strength as cultural networks is our ability to connect people and organisations across borders and sectors.
