Low Carbon Devon Creative Industries

Find out how we can support creative industries to better align to the low carbon agenda
Low Carbon Devon Creative Industries

Low Carbon Devon is supporting the creative industries by offering:

  • Research to assist in the development of a practice, process, product or service within the low carbon agenda.
  • Free events, symposia and workshops to learn about the circular economy or reducing carbon emissions.
  • Opportunities to network and collaborate by featuring on our creative industries LCD map.
  • Creative practice – could you engage others by telling the story of how your enterprise is engaging with the low carbon agenda?

We are researching the low carbon practices of creative industries and asking, what are the narratives of low carbon and how can we take action for positive change. 

Devon has a strong creative sector and with nature and traditional skills often central to people’s work, they tend to be conscious of the impact they leave on the planet.  Many within the sector are sole traders and yet they are finding the time and the inspiration to adapt their practices to reduce their environmental impact. 
Low Carbon Devon’s Dr Emma Whittaker has been supporting these environmental ambitions, by joining enterprises together within the Green Maker Initiative to share low carbon ideas and best practices. Some of the ideas shared within the creative community are brilliantly simple; such as ceramicists developing stacking systems in kilns for the most efficient use and dyers using sunlight to fix natural dyes made from plants. The changes help to reduce energy and pollutants whilst meeting demand for environmentally conscious suppliers.
The map shows some of Devon’s creative industries and the Green Maker Initiative members from across the South West who are engaged in reducing their carbon emissions and environmental impact. 
To submit your details, complete the Sustainability Survey at the bottom of the page.
<p>Low Carbon Devon, Green Maker Map</p>

Our initiatives

<p>Green Maker Initiative<br></p>

Green Maker Initiative

The Green Maker Initiative (GMI) is a free initiative, supported by ERDF Low Carbon Devon, University of Plymouth, MAKE Southwest and Arts Council England, that helps makers reduce the environmental impact of their practice.
Creatives who sign up for the Green Maker Initiative will be featured on a giant map on the walls of the gallery, plotting Southwest makers who are actively engaged in reducing their environmental impact. Any makers who sign up to the Green Maker Initiative are invited to come and put themselves on the map, promote their business and their green approach.
Makers and the making of the map will be documented in photography and film and will form part of a book about the Green Maker Initiative created by JM Media, produced by Dr Emma Whittaker and Polly Macpherson, EDRF Low Carbon Devon, University of Plymouth. The map will be on display for a week following the GMI event.
Watch: find out how the Green Maker Initiative is supporting creative industries in the South West (17 minutes)

AHRC Net Zero Visions – Sustainability Hub Mural

Acclaimed professionals in animation, illustration, interactive games, and public murals are currently working with communities to produce positive ‘Visions’ of locations across Devon as carbon net-zero in 2050. The Sustainability Hub Mural depicts a range of net zero and sustainability visions for the university and for the city of Plymouth and celebrates initiatives already taking place.
<p>AHRC Net Zero Visions – Sustainability Hub Mural<br></p>

Low Carbon Devon - Creative Industries Gallery

Some of the work from artists and creatives involved in the project

Mutant Labs Mutant Labs
 The Net Zero Visions Game

Kate Crawfurd Kate Crawfurd
 Net Zero Visions Tiverton Mural

Ashley Potter Ashley Potter
 Net Zero Visions Animation (stills)

Illustrator Philip Harrris Illustrator Philip Harrris
 Net Zero Visions of Yealmpton

Call of Nature: A Community Eco-hub for Exmouth, Rosie Johnson Illustrates Call of Nature: A Community Eco-hub for Exmouth, Rosie Johnson Illustrates
 Winner of the Net Zero Visions Open Artist Call

Soap dishes made from recycled bottle tops Soap dishes made from recycled bottle tops
 Made by Precious Plastics Plymouth and Tavistock

Low Carbon Devon - Creative Industries past events

Catch up on previous Creative Industries events

Creative Commissions Workshop
A Green Minds, Plymouth County Council Mobility Hubs and University of Plymouth Low Carbon Devon event.

Mission Possible: Art and Enterprise for a Zero Carbon World
The climate emergency needs action now! Can art be a catalyst for climate action?

Low Carbon Devon | Creative Practices that Tread Lightly on the Earth Workshop
Are you a maker, designer, crafts person, artist, creative? Do you want to turn your concern for climate emergency into a positive change in your work