Green Craft Initiative
The Green Craft Initiative’s goal is to connect, support and inspire the Scottish craft sector to address their environmental impact – wherever they are on that journey.
Across Scotland today, many individuals and organisations are pioneering innovative approaches to sustainable making and environmentally conscious business practices. By sharing their case studies and resources, we hope to inspire others to contribute to a sustainable future for craft.
Join the network for free via Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Online platform. You can also discover inspiring and insightful interviews and resources with the ‘Working Sustainably’ course.
‘Craft connects to our inheritance, but also is our legacy for the future. It is a common good and shared resource, built over time and across borders. Creativity needs what doesn’t yet exist. Body cognition/tacit knowledge is being valued. The degradation of the environment and social fabric is as a result of short-term thinking, so objects and working processes that work to fight this have most value.’
Professor Robert Wiley, NOVA University speaking at Craft Hub Opening Conference 2022.
Stefanie Ying Lin Cheong’s 'Geanthropology'. Image credit: Susan Castillo
The Green Craft Initiative’s aims
The Green Craft Initiative’s focus may change to respond to the conversations of the day. Currently, our aims are:
- Reducing carbon emissions to help achieve net-zero targets.
- Supporting the circular economy and influencing the use of design circularity with our supply chain and consumers.
- Reducing waste to support a zero-waste society.
- Reducing our impact on biodiversity damage by eliminating environmentally harmful practices.
- Integrating principles of social justice, taking a holistic approach, and working towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
- Educating and upskilling the public and craft consumers about craft’s role in a sustainable future.
Benefits of joining the network
- You’re part of an online network through Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Online platform. We have a dedicated online forum space for those in the Green Craft Initiative network. Meet to share ideas, discuss challenges and network with peers.
- You have access to inspiring, free online content for generating ideas to develop your sustainable practice and business.
- You can participate in Culture for Climate Scotland’s events programme, including at least one joint event with Craft Scotland each year.
- You can meet with Culture for Climate Scotland for one-to-one advice and resources.
- You can show your customers, clients and partners your commitment to being green by sharing your Green Craft Initiative badge and social media graphics.
Downloads are available to members through the Green Craft Initiative forum via Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Online.
Take the pledge
We ask those in the network to pledge to improve their environmental actions over time through a series of simple commitments:
- You will take steps to reduce your environmental impact each year.
- You will take part in a short, annual survey issued by Craft Scotland. This will inform us about progress, successes, challenges and areas of where support is needed.
Sounding Line form on South Uist Beach with rope by Mella Shaw. Image credit: Mella Shaw
Who is eligible to join?
The Green Craft Initiative focuses on providing support for the Scottish craft sector. If you are interested in working definitions of craft, please see Craft Scotland’s definitions.
Individuals
You are a professional maker, craft curator, educator or craft professional.
Organisations
Organisations with a strong craft focus or programming remit. All organisations that join the network must nominate a member of staff as their green champion, who is the main point of contact for the Green Craft Initiative.
How to join
It is free to join the Green Craft Initiative.
Powered by Mighty Networks, the platform is easy to use and available on desktop or mobile (Apple / Android store).
If you are interested in the Green Craft Initiative network, but would like to know more before joining, please contact Craft Scotland at [email protected].
What does it mean if I see the Green Craft Initiative badge on a maker or organisation’s website?
The Green Craft Initiative badge shows that the individual or organisation’s team is part of the network, and they have pledged to improve their environmental actions over time.
If you have specific questions about their sustainable processes, please reach out directly to the maker, curator or initiative. Craft Scotland and Culture for Climate Scotland are not responsible for incorrect information.