Butler Gallery Sustainability Statement

Butler Gallery understands that Art and Architecture exist within a broader ecological context. Butler Gallery recognises that human activity is causing rapid changes to the climate and ecosystems, profoundly changing the world we live in. Climate change is a loss multiplier: ecosystems and biodiversity loss leads in turn to further climate change impacts. These changes affect every aspect of our economy, society, and overall well-being. Ireland, along with other nations is vulnerable to these impacts and is poised to suffer extensive direct and indirect consequences. However, the brunt of these effects falls disproportionately on the shoulders of the poorest and most marginalised communities and individuals.

As galleries and museums increasingly address social issues affecting our communities, environmental and ecological concerns are key priorities for the 21st century.

The arts have such an important role to play. Butler Gallery supports the importance of addressing the climate and nature crisis, having already implemented various initiatives, exhibitions, and programs related to ecology, biodiversity and sustainability. Butler Gallery also recognises the role it plays within the local community of Kilkenny City in supporting climate action through public engagement and learning.

Butler Gallery Alignment with the Arts Council and the National Climate Action Plan

In response to the Arts Council’s Consultation Summary in 2022, Butler Gallery supports the main key findings. The climate and nature crisis is an issue of major concern to the arts community and the community wants to accelerate climate action. The arts community, including Butler Gallery, is already responding, in particular through creative work, public engagement and programming initiatives, oftentimes, without funding.

Butler Gallery seeks to support the first Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan (2024-2029) and align with the national Climate Action Plan targets and goals.

Butler Gallery will engage with Kilkenny Council Climate Action Team and multidisciplinary Climate Action Steering Committee in the Council to understand the role, arts and culture, and specifically Butler Gallery can play in meeting the goals of the Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan (2024-2029).

Butler Gallery will also engage with the Council to find out more about forthcoming funding programmes for communities to undertake climate action projects and how Butler Gallery can participate in these programmes.

Butler Gallery Commitments

Commitment: Butler Gallery is committed to continual Climate Action and sustainability improvements each year in line with the national Climate Action Plan targets, and in supporting the Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan (2024-2029) when finalised and published.

Engagement: Butler Gallery will continue engaging with its partners and stakeholders on the theme of climate action, sustainability and biodiversity. Our current engagement and shared projects are with teachers and schools, children and families, youth, adults and community partners.

Carbon Emissions: Butler Gallery seeks to understand, measure and reduce our direct and indirect carbon emissions where possible. We will work in line with national and local council reduction targets and use best practice calculation tools to achieve this.

Energy: Butler Gallery will seek to continuously monitor, measure and reduce energy consumption. The building already has a climate controlled energy system and Butler Gallery is currently exploring ways in which to further reduce the loss of energy from the main entrance to the building. Consultation between the internal team and external stakeholders in relation to the SEAI energy report and energy saving measures is a key priority, and the process of real time energy monitoring is underway.

Transport: Whilst Butler Gallery acknowledges reducing transport emissions are mainly outside of their control, the Gallery will seek to engage with audiences to encourage visitors to visit by active travel, rail and bus. Kilkenny has a well-connected rail service to several large urban centres and the Gallery enjoys a central location within the city. Butler Gallery encourages staff to use public transport and/or walk where possible, when commuting to work.

Materials and Waste Management: Butler Gallery will continually seek to reduce waste by sourcing re-usable products for the gallery and share best practices with other galleries. Recycling and waste management practices are already in place, but Butler Gallery is keen to do more, such as eliminating Single Use Plastics from the building in line with the EU Single Use Plastics Directive. The Wildflower Café at Butler Gallery is a predominantly vegetarian and vegan café and all leftover food is composted. The café will implement keep cups and phase out the use of disposable coffee cups also.

Water: Butler Gallery has a water refill station in its building for visitors. We will seek to continue to work with our partners to encourage visitors and staff to phase out plastic water bottles and carry their own reusable bottles.

Food: The production, supply and waste of food is an important theme to Butler Gallery. The café will continue to improve on its use of vegetarian (currently upwards of 76%) and locally sourced (upwards of 51%) food. All food waste is composted. The sustainable production of food and a connection and improvement of our soils features in programmes and exhibitions, along with food and art workshops for adult and children audiences.

Procurement: Butler Gallery will implement a green procurement policy. Aligning with Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, Butler Gallery will adopt green procurement criteria put in place for Kilkenny Tourism members.

Biodiversity: Butler Gallery recognises the biodiversity crisis that we are currently facing and seeks to understand the potential impacts on Kilkenny City and surrounding region’s wildlife. Butler Gallery already has significant bee friendly planting in the garden and we will continue partnering with local groups and artists in exploring themes of biodiversity. Butler Gallery will introduce rewilding and a wildflower garden to the site and is currently in discussions with Kilkenny County Council to plant this imminently. This will be in line with Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 to harness the city's green spaces and leverage and enhance the biodiversity assets and green spaces to store carbon, for urban cooling, and support health and well-being of residents and visitors.

Reporting: Butler Gallery will report on climate action and carbon emissions reductions transparently and responsibly, reviewing their Climate Action Policy annually.

Policy Review: Butler Gallery will review the Climate Action Policy annually for continuous improvement.