Empowering the Arts for Climate Action

Challenge

• Julie’s Bicycle is a UK charity helping the arts and cultural sector respond to the climate crisis.

• Needed a technical partner with deep energy and carbon expertise to:
  • Provide annual performance analysis for 800+ national portfolio organisations.
  • Support a 5-year Spotlight Programme (2018–2023) for 30 large arts organisations.
  • Enable the sector to set science-based carbon reduction targets and deliver measurable progress towards net zero.

Our Approach

As Julie’s Bicycle’s technical partner for over 10 years, Pilio has:

• Delivered energy and carbon footprinting expertise across the cultural sector.

• Prepared annual energy and carbon performance reports for 800+ organisations.

• Co-designed and delivered the Spotlight Programme, including:
  • Carbon reduction target setting
  • Annual energy management diagnostics
  • Access to energy management software
  • Training events and 1-to-1 support
  • Peer learning and trend analysis

• Expanded programme scope in Year 5 to include Scope 3 emissions measurement.

Results

• Built sector-wide capacity in carbon measurement and energy management.

• Delivered measurable carbon reductions across leading cultural organisations.

• Established a model for science-based target setting in the arts.

• Strengthened sector resilience by embedding sustainability in major institutions.

Client Impact

• Trusted partnership spanning a decade, positioning Julie’s Bicycle as the UK’s cultural sustainability leader.

• High-profile arts organisations (e.g. National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Sage Gateshead, Southbank Centre, Baltic, Whitworth Art Gallery) actively engaged in net zero pathways.

• Arts Council England able to demonstrate clear sector progress.

Next Steps

• Extend support to more organisations across the arts and cultural sector.

• Deepen Scope 3 analysis and supply chain engagement.

• Continue building skills and capacity for long-term net zero delivery.

Takeaway

Pilio’s long-term partnership with Julie’s Bicycle shows how targeted expertise, training, and sector-wide programmes can deliver measurable carbon reductions and empower cultural organisations to take climate leadership.