The Green Craft Initiative is a sister network to the Green Arts Initiative. It was launched in 2014 and is a joint project between Craft Scotland and Culture for Climate Scotland. 

The Green Craft Initiative aims to connect, support and inspire the Scottish craft sector to address their environmental impact – wherever they are on that journey.   

Across Scotland, many individuals and organisations are pioneering innovative approaches to sustainable making and environmentally conscious working practices. By sharing their case studies and resources, we hope to inspire others to contribute to a sustainable future for craft.

Join the network via Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Online platform.You can also discover inspiring and insightful interviews and resources with our ‘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. 

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 where support is needed.  

Who is eligible to join? 

The Green Craft Initiative focuses on providing support for the Scottish craft sector. If you are interested, please see Craft Scotland’s working definitions of craft and making. 

• 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.  

You can join via Craft Scotland’s COMPASS: Online platform. 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 hello@craftscotland.org.