Systemic solutions
Creating systemic solutions on which the work of the institution will be based is worth doing for practical and unifying purposes. Operational documents, procedures or checklists will make work easier. In this process, it is good to maintain the bottom-up approach, i.e. to collect the solutions used in individual activities and by teams, and to collect the needs that employees notice. It is worth discussing proposals for implementing new practices and allocating time to check how they work and how to improve them. The strength of grassroot activities lies in the fact that we get to know, understand and implement certain behaviours through our own practices. This is important, especially when you are introducing new practices and systemic tools. Take a holistic view i.e. pay attention to the fact that the work of individual departments and teams affects each other. Treat the institution as an organism dependent on the outside world.
Mutual support in finding solutions for climate
It is worth sharing knowledge, experiences, and the challenges you face. Sharing the knowledge we acquire or the solutions we implement does not weaken their impact, this knowledge grows through the exchange of thoughts, ideas and possibilities. That is why it is important to create exchange and discussion networks and support one another in reaching solutions adapted to various institutional requirements. Initiate regular, e.g. monthly mornings/breakfasts/afternoons for the climate – meetings for a wide group of representatives of institutions, organisations and individuals. Such networks function successfully in other areas and facilitate cooperation, e.g. the Adeste network around the topic of audience development or ‘Breakfasts and Talks’ organised by NGO Stocznia. Make sure that the team representation is rotational and consists of several people. Rotation and equal access to meetings for all departments prevents knowledge from being ‘locked’ within one specialisation, e.g. educators. Knowledge, as well as motivation and commitment will spread throughout the team, irrespective of the type of work performed. Different competences and professional experiences mean different perspectives and sensitivities.
> In 2020, the CK Zamek established the ‘Castle for Climate’ committee, composed of individuals with various areas of expertise who advise on the organisation of work in the building and office spaces, liaise with tenants, and prepare recommendations for entities using the Castle’s spaces on a temporary or permanent basis (it is home to several dozen tenants, and the building is also often rented out commercially). The committee also develops a catalogue of good practices for organisers from the world of culture, organises educational meetings on climate issues and training courses, and networks CK Zamek with other institutions. Thanks to this systematic approach, it may be expected that ecological considerations will accompany all projects, strategic visions and partnerships.
> In 2020, at the initiative of the City of Łódź, the ‘Eco-Pact for Łódź’ was established, which obliges municipal cultural institutions to develop ecological practices in this area. List of cultural institutions and specific actions that have been taken.
> Climate Action for Curators offers support from a sustainability coach and grants to implement a green plan.
Narrating change
In the climate movement, one of the roles that cultural institutions can take on is talking about changes in practices and daily habits in order to make them universally acceptable and bearable, so that they become the new norm. This could be included in press releases. If, when organising a specific event, the institution purchased less materials because it uses an exchange system, include this information in the promotion. If you change your communication and promotion strategy to minimise the use of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, because you develop other forms of promotion, clearly communicate it. Information about changes in practices (with a short justification) will popularise them (see: COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTION).
An equally important form of building a narrative about the necessary changes is taking up this topic in the programme activities, e.g. exhibition, educational programme, performance. Search for appropriate words and build stories to promote new values. It is better to incorporate individual practices into the programme, rather than creating dedicated projects for them. The point is not to follow the fashion on specific topics, but to include them in the way you conceptualise the content of your programme and to convey the values behind them. Speak directly about the sense of responsibility we face as humanity and which you assume as an institution (see: PROGRAMMING)
> The outcome of workshops and consultations with interdisciplinary teams on how to communicate about climate change: Humans Attack. New narratives, 2025.
> Climate change is a complex issue, and it can sometimes be difficult to choose a single perspective. Instead, you can show your audience that you encourage them to think critically and present a whole range of climate narratives. You can use the results of the NODES research project. This is an initiative funded by the European Commission to monitor public debate in areas such as migration, COVID-19 and climate change. It is no coincidence that these topics are linked. They all have their roots in the intensification of human activity, its impact on the environment and the dynamics of movement. These are also areas where disinformation is present, which is why it is important to educate people on how narratives create certain forms of pressure, including political pressure. The NODES project identified seven of the most frequently recurring narratives: ‘We need to resist the green dystopia’, ‘Green policies are blocking development’, ‘Let’s not panic,’ ‘We can overcome the crisis and use it as an opportunity to grow,’ ‘The apocalypse is coming,’ ‘Rebellion against greed,’ and ‘We need to act together.’ Some of these are narratives that aim to undermine or weaken climate action, while others motivate action and reflection on change.
> In 2025, Fundacja Huba foundation published a communication guide on how to link climate issues with other topics. Acting in the spirit of climate justice, the authors showed that this is possible, interesting and makes the public aware of connections that may not be so obvious. Agriculture, health, work, security, minority rights and migration are areas that have been analysed in terms of their communication potential for creating stories that connect.
> Nowy negacjonizm klimatyczny. Jak populizm kształtuje nasze myślenie o walce ze zmianami klimatu [New climate denialism. How populism shapes our thinking about the fight against climate change], Pole Dialogu Foundation (2023).
> A report prepared by Lata Dwudzieste on climate narratives entitled ‘How to put it…? – The shortcomings of narratives about nature and climate catastrophe’ (2022).
Finances
The method and type of funding used by the institution should responsibly follow the direction of the challenges faced. Climate protection and taking care to radically reduce the rate of extinction of yet more species of animals, plants and fungi, as well as the depletion and pollution of natural resources, requires bold actions from us. This means the need to revise and discontinue sources of financing if there is evidence of environmental abuse. Pay special attention to financing from large or mega corporations. It is worth investigating the sources of income generated by these companies. Keep in mind the legacy of environmental movements calling for fossil-free arts and culture such as Liberate Tate, Fossil Free Culture, BP or not BP. We describe this topic extensively in the area on FINANCES). An eco-friendly approach to finance also means ensuring transparency of remuneration, introducing employment contracts wherever the nature of the work requires it, and supporting unionisation.
