A low-carbon approach to your work online

At Art Fund, we recognise the cultural sector's responsibility and desire to urgently respond to the climate crisis.

At museums and galleries, this must extend beyond the exhibitions we create and stories we tell and encompass how we work and engage with audiences digitally. From the content we create to the platforms we use, our choices have a direct impact on the environmental impact of our projects.

In May and June 2025 Art Fund supported 44 museums, galleries and cultural organisations across the UK to programme events inspired by THE HERDS, an ever-growing herd of life-size puppet animals stampeding into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster.

In support of this project, and in partnership with digital agency Manifesto, we have produced a resource to help museum professionals consider the environmental impact of their digital activities.

It's the little things. Small steps for a happier planet

• Re-use assets across platforms (e.g. 1:1 images)
• Create only what you need
• Use modern image formats like .webp
• Be intentional with use of AI
• Compress your images
• Limit autoplaying videos
• Archive or delete expired digital ads, assets and campaign pages
• Approve lower-res versions
• Process videos in bulk
• Regularly clean inactive subscribers
• Use cloud storage links over email attachments
• Be intentional about social platforms you're on

Download the Guide to taking a low carbon approach