Serpentine Galleries →Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy

Serpentine acknowledges the climate emergency and recognises it as the most urgent issue of our time. We are a public institution committed to supporting artists and their visions of the future; we pledge ourselves to new ways of thinking and acting.

As a central pillar of our programming, we have embedded environmental and ecological concerns across the galleries’ programmes, infrastructure and networks.

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and proud of our commitment to environmental sustainability. Serpentine is part of the Arts Council England Sustainability Spotlight Programme 2018-2022 delivered by Julie’s Bicycle, striving to reduce the environmental impacts of Band 3 National Portfolio Organisations to achieve measurable carbon reductions through the development of environmental management practice.

Our environmental policy takes a prominent place in all our operations, from procurement and staff travel to cleaning products and energy consumption. This includes using a renewable electricity supplier, Green IT, waste recycling, using recycled and environmentally friendly products where possible and moving towards ‘paperless’.

Serpentine is also committed to pooling knowledge and convening its networks to share best practice.

Areas of focus for 2022-23 include:

  • Working with AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, and Julie’s Bicycle who are supporting Serpentine in its progression towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
  • Working towards the replacement of Serpentine’s existing air handling units enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint, starting with a feasibility study begun earlier this year to inform the process;
  • Extending the length of our exhibition runs and reducing exhibition turnover;
  • Analysing trends in the institution’s energy output to identify energy saving measures, and identifying new energy saving measures to reduce overall energy consumption;
  • Working to implement measures as outlined in the Serpentine Sustainability Action Plan;
  • Increasing staff and artist engagement with environmental issues as active participants in reducing the institution’s impact on the environment;
  • Continuing our use of 100% renewable electricity suppliers
  • Highlighting ecological concerns through our programme;
  • Working to deliver a more sustainable model for future Pavilions;
  • Further exploring sustainable ways of making exhibitions at planning stage;
  • Encouraging caterers and other third-party event suppliers to use sustainable and environmentally friendly produce and to recycle to the highest standards.