Spike Green Futures represents our commitment to transforming our historic building for greater environmental sustainability, and to tackle some of the biggest eco-challenges in the gallery and museums sector.
Spike Island is committed to tackling the climate crisis by aligning our activities, values, and operations with environmental responsibility. By rethinking how art is produced made and exhibited, we aim to cultivate an environmentally conscious community of makers and creators.
As a prominent arts organisation operating an 80,000-square-foot building and a vibrant creative community, we recognise our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact. Art production, exhibitions, and maintaining our facility all have significant carbon footprints.
In 2024, Spike Island embarked upon Spike Green Futures, a campaign to become carbon neutral by 2030 in line with Bristol City Council’s ‘Mission Net Zero’. Working with partners across the South West, including Spike Island creative tenants Connolly Wellingham, actions include:
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Reduce our carbon footprint by 50% by 2036 and achieve Net Zero in the 2040s.
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Retrofit the building: improve energy efficiency, reduce heat loss by 50%, switch from natural gas to green energy solutions.
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Embed sustainability across art-production, logistics and operations: sea freight where possible; reuse of plinths, vitrines, printed materials; prioritising circularity.
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Empower our community: staff, artists, tenants and audiences engaged through education, resources and collective action.
Read our full statement of intent here: Our Commitment to the Environment
KEY MILESTONES AND PROGRESS
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve achieved so far:
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In April 2025 we completed a major roof replacement and installed 202 PV solar panels.
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Between March and August 2025 we saved 6,000 kg CO₂ emissions (equivalent to planting 386 trees or powering three average UK homes for a year).
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Our retrofit strategy is in motion: targeting 50% heat-loss reduction, replacing fossil fuel reliance with green energy.
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We awarded Active Member status in the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) – recognised as an organisation taking real, measurable action.
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