Page
PROJECT "CLIMATE BALANCES FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS"PROJECT
OBJECTIVE
With the help of climate assessments and key figure surveys, the aim is to determine how many greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) are caused by the cultural sector, which GHG emissions are to be reduced as a priority and who is responsible for each of them. The findings are to serve as a basis for defining and prioritizing appropriate climate protection measures for all subsidized cultural institutions.
DURATION December 2024 to February 2026
PARTICIPANTS
Part of the project are all cultural institutions that received a temporary or unlimited recurring contribution of at least CHF 30,000 during the project period, a 6-year concept funding grant from the City of Zurich or are a city-owned institution. In total, these are 65 subsidized cultural institutions. The other 20 or so subsidised cultural institutions benefit from the results of the project.
PARTNERS
The City of Zurich commissioned the act Cleantech Agency Switzerland to implement the project "Climate Accounting for Cultural Institutions". Act is already implementing the Ökokompass for the Office for Environmental and Health Protection Zurich (UGZ). In implementing the project, act received support from Carbotech, an environmental consulting and greenhouse gas accounting company with extensive experience in the cultural sector.
In
order to map the three types of organisations (building-related institutions, festivals/events, productions) of the subsidised cultural sector of the City of Zurich, nine detailed carbon footprints were required. Three balance sheets were already available. For the first time, balance sheets were prepared for six cultural institutions.
In addition, the cultural institutions were invited to participate in a survey that served to further classify and scale. Key figures, data and information were queried, e.g. on the building, energy consumption or mobility behaviour. In addition, internal city data was collected and missing information was derived from assumptions and projections.
A synthesis report was prepared from the results, which shows the GHG emissions of the subsidised cultural sector of the City of Zurich and derives the most important fields of action and concrete measures.
SUMMARY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS AND CLASSIFICATION
Compared to the total GHG emissions of the City of Zurich and its administration, the GHG emissions of the subsidised cultural sector are relatively low. Cf. Net Zero Interim Report 2025:
Total GHG emissions subsidised cultural sector: approx. 37,000 t CO₂eq/year (direct <1%, indirect >99%)
Total GHG emissions of the entire city: approx. 6,251,000 t CO₂eq/year (direct 16%, indirect 84%)
Total GHG emissions of city administration: approx. 711,000 t CO₂eq/year (direct 41%, indirect 59%)
Culture is not a major source of emissions in relation to the city as a whole – but it does play a central role in achieving net zero: Culture has a wide reach and serves as a role model.
Despite the heterogeneity of orientation, size and activity, common fields of action can be identified and the results clearly show where there is a need for action.
In the cultural sector, there are three emission hotspots:
mobility accounts for 45% of GHG emissions for building-related institutions, 77% for festivals and 70% for productions – mainly through audience mobility, then employees and external cultural workers.
Purchased products (materials) and services account for 31 % of GHG emissions for institutions, 19 % for festivals and 8 % for productions – including material procurement, catering, graphics commissions.
Energy accounts for 17 % of GHG emissions at institutions, 1 % at festivals and 4% at productions – mainly heat and electricity.
The results provide orientation: Central emission sources have been identified, and reduction potentials have been identified. Prioritized lists of measures with concrete approaches to reducing emissions are available for the three fields of action.
For the development of individual strategies and plans of measures, all subsidized cultural institutions will have access to reflector's free counseling service (individual consultations, workshops) until spring 2027.
AVAILABLE REPORTS
<a target="_blank" href="https://mitwirken.stadt-zuerich.ch/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBdHQrIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--5dab8ff074783933a5a4263ce502b916b932208f/Synthesebericht_Klimabilanzen%20Kulturinstitutionen%20Stadt%20Z%C3%BCrich_Feb%202026.pdf">"Synthesis Report – Climate Balances of Cultural Institutions of the City of Zurich". Feb 2026
The synthesis report includes all results along the three types of organisation: building-related institutions, festivals and productions.-
«Summary – Synthesis Report on Climate Balances of Cultural Institutions». Feb 2026
The summary lists the key findings of the synthesis report.
The data in the synthesis report is anonymized. It is not possible to draw conclusions about the original balance sheets.
FURTHER INFORMATION
-
Contact for questions about the project "Climate Balances for Cultural Institutions": Ulrike Schröder, Head of Cultural Projects, City of Zurich. ulrike.schroeder@zuerich.ch
Share