Creative Commissions for Climate Action

When we launched the Creative Commissions for Climate Action in 2021, little did we know what an incredible impact they would have: on the partners involved, on the communities engaged, on the wider cultural sector, and on the British Council. 

The combination of arts, science and technology has been at the heart of the Creative Commissions, finding innovative ways of addressing diverse climate challenges at a global scale and bringing to life the data. They highlight the personal stories and local contexts of some of those most affected by climate change, humanising an otherwise overwhelming and complex narrative of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. Through diverse artforms and culture-led initiatives, the Creative Commissions build understanding and increase dialogue between communities, artists, scientists and digital innovators, and inspire hope for a brighter future.

This external evaluation of the commissions serves to provide evidence of the impact and value of such projects when arts and culture are at the heart of climate action. It also helps us to reflect on the process, and learn from the experience to improve future initiatives. We hope that it inspires others to explore what role they can play to tackle the climate emergency, and that it shows support and solidarity to those who strive to do so under challenging circumstances.