Visitors » Green Initiatives

In 2007, Frieze commissioned Julie’s Bicycle, an environmental agency devoted to the creative industries, to look at the carbon emissions created by the fair. Audits were carried out in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The fair has used these audits as a basis for carbon reductions across our activities. The greatest impact was located in the use of diesel generators, so from 2010 the fair has been powered exclusively by waste vegetable oil.

The introduction of waste vegetable oil, or bio diesel, has reduced the fair’s carbon footprint dramatically. The carbon footprint per visitor in 2010 was 0.25 kg CO2e, down by over 90%.

Reducing Carbon Emissions

Energy

Biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil has replaced regular diesel in Frieze London generators to generate heating and electricity
300w halogen floodlights previously used in the fair were replaced by 70w metal halides

Waste

Encouraging visitors, staff and contractors to separate their waste by making recycling readily available
Recycling stations for glass, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper, and cardboard
Recycling of wood
Recycling of carpets

Collaboration

Working with contractors to improve our environmental performance in a way that is practical and fits into current working practices
Encouraging caterers to use recyclable food packaging
Working with Royal Parks to protect the site we occupy
Working with The Mayor of London and partner organisations to reduce the carbon footprint of the visual arts in London
Working closely with our site management team, 20-20 Events, to develop the fair’s environmental infrastructure, improve our data collecting, and facilitate partnerships with contractors and stakeholders.

Transport and Travel

Encouraging visitors to use public transport and bicycles
Providing extra bike racks outside the Fair
Providing shuttle buses for off-site events to minimise taxi and private car use
Monitoring the number of shipments arriving at the fair and where they are arriving from in order to assess the carbon footprint of shipping and production traffic

Communication

Improving signage to encourage staff and visitors to separate waste
Including information about our Green Initiatives in briefings to contractors

Performance Measurement

Carrying out regular carbon audits to manage our environmental performance

On Thursday, 14 October London’s Mayor launched the Green Visual Arts Guide at Frieze London 2010. The Guide, commissioned by the Mayor of London and written by Julie’s Bicycle with input from over a thousand galleries, studios, fairs and transport companies, is the fourth in a series specifically for the creative industries. The Guides set out the tools to tackle climate change issues which directly affect the visual arts. Case studies from visual art organisations of varying sizes are included to illustrate what can be done.

Thank You

Frieze London remains committed to reducing its carbon emissions. We are grateful for the support of our staff, contractors, and visitors in achieving this aim.