During a panel discussion, Ashkhen Fixova, AEC Project Manager and Coordinator of the AEC Green Team, reflected on the key lessons learned from CreaSus, particularly through its self-assessment tool. She shared what the assessment revealed about the AEC’s own practices, the actions taken to support its sustainable transformation, and the successes and challenges encountered along the way.
Since 2023, CreaSus has been helping Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSIs) across Europe develop more resilient and diversified business models by integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, alongside innovation, into their everyday work.
At the heart of this effort is a free online self-assessment tool, based on a “readiness approach” and aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting
Standards. It enables organisations of all sizes and across different disciplines to assess their current sustainability practices and identify practical next steps.
The AEC Green team completed the self-assessment tool and achieved high scores across all three sections. The team appreciated that the self-assessment tool approached sustainability in the same framework with environmental, social, and governance, highlighting the importance of these three aspects as one interconnected ecosystem, and addressing systemic issues as a whole. The team also valued the extensive collection of literature and practical examples, which offers opportunities for further learning and inspiration.
Sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability, has been an important part of the AEC’s work for several years. This commitment gained momentum with the establishment of the AEC Goes Green Working Group within the AEC ARTEMIS project and the publication of the group’s recommendations for the Green Shift in higher music education institutions.
Joining the SHIFT eco-certificate for cultural networks and achieving the certificate for two years in a row also gave us a major impetus. More recently, the AEC launched the Network of Green Officers, strengthening its efforts to support the green transition across higher music education institutions.
The AEC Green Team reviews the organisation’s Sustainability Action Plan annually and monitors progress using a range of tools, including those developed by CreaSus. These resources help the AEC reflect on its practices, identify areas for improvement and continue working towards a more sustainable future.
