Eco-Responsibility at ELIA

ELIA acknowledges the detrimental impact of human activities on the planet, its ecosystems, and ecologies, and recognises how its own carbon footprint as a globally connected network contributes to that impact. That is why ELIA is committed to making ecologically responsible choices, starting by systematically implementing its newly published eco-policy and through upholding the SHIFT Eco-Certification for Cultural Networks.

This policy integrates principles for climate change mitigation and adaptation and explores regenerative approaches. This involves developing ELIA's practices, operations, strategies, and governance models in harmony with our planet's ecosystems and ecologies.

ELIA also aims to fully use its potential to promote climate action by raising awareness through its network and supporting its members and partners in adopting environmentally responsible practices, by providing peer-learning opportunities and sharing resources.

A good example is ELIA's events. ELIA strives to make all its events eco-responsible, taking the local specificities into account. Some of the measures we have taken in events this year are reducing printed materials, making events free of plastic, and offering fully vegetarian catering. Many events also feature programme content that aims to inspire and educate on eco-conscious practices.

Implementing environmental responsibility across the organisation is an ongoing and evolving process of change. It builds on the previously published SHIFT Eco-Guidelines for Cultural Networks, which ELIA had a key role in developing. In February 2024, we were proud to receive the related SHIFT Eco-Certificate. In February 2025, we achieved certification for the second consecutive year, reaffirming our commitment to sustainable practices. This goes hand in hand with ELIA's Environmental Responsibility Action Plan.

While the eco-policy and action plan focus on the environment, ELIA aims for a holistic approach, recognising the intersection with social, economic, political and cultural aspects. In particular, ELIA will align its eco-responsibility work with its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity initiatives.

Key documents

ELIA’s SHIFT Eco-Certification – Year 2
In the second year of the SHIFT eco-certificate pilot phase, ELIA, together with 15 other cultural networks, worked with Culture for Climate Scotland and Vector42 to implement the SHIFT Culture eco-guidelines, take part in peer audits, and share best practices on how to implement eco-measures policies. In February 2025, we proudly achieved SHIFT eco-certification for the second year in a row. Throughout this process, we learned that while many participating organisations are stretched to capacity, the eco-guidelines provide a clear framework for effective climate action that each organisation can build on.
Read ELIA’s 2025 SHIFT Eco-Certification here>

ELIA’s SHIFT Eco-Certification
ELIA, along with 15 other international cultural networks, launched the SHIFT eco-certification pilot phase in January 2023. The aim of this process was to co-develop a bespoke eco-certification for cultural networks, taking into account their specific needs and working methods. This certification, established in partnership with Creative Carbon Scotland and Green Leisure Group, provided a scheme to improve, measure, monitor and evaluate efforts towards sustainability. This project also encouraged active climate action among the wider cultural sector and has created a new alliance of like-minded networks and associations. ELIA and 14 other networks received their first certification in February 2024 and will be audited on a yearly basis to retain it.  
Read ELIA’s 2024 SHIFT Eco-Certification here>

SHIFT Eco-Guidelines for Cultural Networks
The SHIFT project partners, led by ELIA and in collaboration with the Green Leisure Group and Creative Carbon Scotland, have created a set of guidelines to address the ecological footprint associated with operating cultural networks and platform-organisations. The guidelines serve as a reference document for ELIA and 15 other European cultural networks to minimise their footprint and optimise environmentally sustainable practices. They are also the foundation of the SHIFT Eco-certification, which ELIA aims to achieve by the end of 2023 and will undergo annual audits to maintain. (SHIFT was an Erasmus+ Cooperation Project. All project results are open access and can be found on  shift-culture.eu).
Read the SHIFT Eco-Guidelines for Cultural Networks here>

ELIA's Eco-Policy
ELIA has developed its own eco-policy based on the SHIFT Eco-guidelines, and is using it as a governance tool to implement environmentally friendly measures across its operations and to foster reflection. The policy outlines the organisation's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and use its position as a global network to encourage and support members in their journey towards ecological responsibility. The policy will be reviewed annually.
Read ELIA's Eco-Policy here>

ELIA's Environmental Responsibility Action Plan
Complementary to the eco-policy, ELIA has developed an action plan that outlines key action points and sets targets for the coming years.
Read ELIA's Environmental Responsibility Action Plan here>

ELIA Guidelines for Eco-Responsible Travel
ELIA has formulated a set of guidelines for environmentally responsible travel, aligned with the SHIFT Eco-guidelines. This document is meant for internal use and applies to all of ELIA's business travel. It offers a systematic approach for decision-making that considers both the value and ecological footprint of every trip. Through these guidelines, ELIA aims to reduce its travel-related emissions over three years.
Read the ELIA Guidelines for Eco-Responsible Travel here>

Green Team

ELIA's Green Team leads efforts to make the organisation more ecologically responsible across its practices and activities. It also oversees ELIA's participation in and adherence to the SHIFT Eco-Certification for Cultural Networks. The Green Team regularly collaborates with ECHO, the European Concert Hall Organisation, which is its eco-certification buddy network. The Green Team consists of Joana Alves (Executive Assistant), Irene Garofalo (Advocacy and Project Manager), and Maria Hansen (Executive Director).

Arts & Ecology Working Group

Following two successful pilot sessions in the past two years (How To Inspire Green Transformation in Art Making - an online event, and a session at the ELIA Biennial 2022), ELIA launched the Arts & Ecology Working Group in 2025, a membership platform on ecological responsibility.

A central focus of the working group is to enable ELIA members to share best practices, learnings, and experiences on climate action, ensuring ongoing dialogue and collaboration across the network. The group concentrates on two key areas: climate action, including climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies within higher arts education institutions, and the integration of green skills, competencies, and ecocritical thinking into curricula and arts education practices. Through these initiatives, the working group aims to raise awareness and inspire change within arts education to better address environmental challenges.

Read more about the Arts & Ecology Working Group>

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