How art can bring our NetZero journey to life

For centuries, art has reflected societal changes, pressures and priorities. It has offered an opportunity for life as we understand it to be captured and presented in a way that can be studied, interpreted and enjoyed by generations to come.

There are few greater global priorities right now than tackling climate change, and for several years, media has reflected this back onto us in direct ways – moving TV documentaries, journalism covering natural disasters, and apocalyptic Hollywood movies. Art has also become a powerful channel for statements on climate change, and we see powerful messages more and more on fashion runways, in performance art as protests, and even on stage at theatres across the world.

Now, art itself is needing to find new ways to account for its own climate impact. Its production, its transportation, the movement of artists, and even the physical display of art, has its own carbon footprint.

This week, at an event at the Nairobi National Museum, as part of Africa Climate Week 2023, art and addressing climate change have found a new way to collaborate – carbon removals.

Despite over 4,000 miles separating Evident’s Head Office in Sheffield, and Nairobi, we were delighted to come together with Mutuma Marangu to celebrate his Sculpture and Art Exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum. With the star of the show being Basalt Rock – a sculpture which is a mineral carbonation that can permanently capture and store carbon quickly.

This fits hand-in-hand with Evident’s own work looking at how we can certify the carbon removal process to ensure that the global transition to a Clean Economy can be verified robustly and credibly.

Together, organisations like Evident and individuals like the incredible Mutuma Marangu can bring the Clean Economy journey to new audiences, and we’re excited to showcase the continuing importance of arts and culture in tackling global issues.