The AEC Goes Green survey report is out!

The results of the AEC Goes Green WG survey, highlighting the eco-friendly needs and practices of the HMEIs, are now available! The report also features inspiring examples of green practices from the sector.

The ARTEMIS AEC Goes Green WG concluded the findings from the online surveys on green and eco-sustainable practices and needs conducted among the members of the AEC  between April and September 2023.  A high number of responses came from over 70 Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs) from 26 countries in Europe and beyond. The survey report presents the response on such aspects as Management and Sustainability policies, Travel, Sustainable daily functioning, Event organisation, Communication and raising awareness, and Contribution to the greening of the higher music education sector. Every section of the report also includes inspiring examples of good green practices implemented in the HMEIs. 

Additionally, the report also includes results from two surveys conducted amongst students enrolled in AEC member institutions in 2023 –  at the AEC Congress in Lyon and another through an online platform. It aims to gain insight into music students’ positions, opinions, and practices regarding environmental sustainability across various institutions. 

The report’s primary objective is to inform and inspire the HMEIs about environmentally friendly and conscious practices while highlighting the sector’s needs. 

The answers to questions regarding the connections between sustainable management, policies and daily functioning provide a distinctive view of the alignment and discrepancies between perceptions, policy content, and actual practices. While there is a notable emphasis on guidelines and good practices in policy content, the real challenge lies in translating these policies into daily practices. The prioritisation of mobility and energy management in policy indicates awareness, yet the practice percentages, particularly in energy consumption reduction, suggest room for more consistent application. This gap highlights the need for policies that not only set standards but also actively facilitate and enforce these practices through clear guidelines and perhaps incentives for compliance.

This document outlines the current state of affairs within the sector and will serve as a foundation for developing recommendations for green transition in higher music education, to be published this fall.