Creatives for Climate Action Thailand (CCAT)
Organizers: European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), Creative Migration, Creative Economy Agency (CEA)
Introduction
Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand (CCAT) Conference
Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand (CCAT) is a pivotal conference that united European and Thai stakeholders in the creative industry to promote sustainability and climate action in Thailand's cultural sector. CCAT occurred from June 26-27, 2024 at Bangkok's Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC). The opening event took place at Soho House Bangkok on June 25 and the Closing Reception was held at Bangkok 1899 on June 27, 2024.
CCAT is a project by the network of the European Union National Institutes for Culture in Thailand (EUNIC Cluster Thailand) that is supported by Alliance Française, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, the Embassies of Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain as well as the EUNIC Cluster Fund. EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture – is Europe’s network of national cultural institutes and organizations, with 39 members from all EU Member States. The event is co-organized with Creative Migration (International Arts Organization) in collaboration with the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization).
Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand (CCAT) Mission
Thailand’s vibrant cultural and creative scene is poised for a sustainable transformation. CCAT is a platform for developing a bilingual toolkit to share best practices, learn about sustainable event management and provide tangible and useful information for Thai creatives and foreign professionals. The toolkit responds to local needs to implement and promote climate action within the Creative Economy. The conference featured prominent speakers from Europe and Thailand, including festival organizers, sustainability experts and policymakers.
CCAT has four primary objectives. It aims to facilitate knowledge sharing between European and Thai cultural practitioners to exchange best practices for sustainability. It also focused on developing a detailed toolkit to aid in creating and promoting sustainable events and help prioritize and simplify the actions the industry needs to take. Additionally, it seeks to build networks by fostering new collaborations among EUNIC members and Thai stakeholders. Finally, CCAT aims to raise public awareness about regenerative practices through engaging and interactive sessions.
The long-term result will be a reduction in the environmental impact of the festival sector and improved progress towards the international goals for a livable planet. Additionally, we underscore the importance of intersectionality in dismantling siloed initiatives, thus advocating for a collaborative approach to leverage the creative industry’s bargaining power to promote sustainable practices among the general public and across sectors.
Speakers:
Bow Wasinondh - Wonderfruit (Thailand), Sofia Machado - Boom Festival (Portugal), Marta Pallarès - Primavera Sound/YOUROPE (Spain), Gridthiya Gaweewong - Thailand Biennale/Jim Thompson Art Centre (Thailand), Notep (Thailand), Adulaya “Kim” Hoontrakul - Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (Thailand), Chiara Badiali - Julie’s Bicycle (UK), Hannah Hofbauer - Green Events (Austria), Kim Kraczon - Ki Culture/Gallery Climate Coalition (Germany/USA), Gwendolenn Sharp - The Green Room (France), Kirsten Wessel - Sauntr Media/E+C Pavillion (Germany/USA), Sakson Ruoypirom - SATI Foundation/Na Projects (Thailand), Lisa Lang - EU Climate KIC (EU), Nuanvan Daraswasdi - Ministry of Culture (Thailand), Dr. Fairda Malem - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Thailand), Pat Satkhum - Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Thailand), Jens Radschinski - UNFCCC (Asia-Pacific), Nevina Satta - European Film Academy (Italy), Céline Schall - University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Susannah Tantemsapya - Creative Migration (USA/Thailand), Samuel Rubin - E+C Pavillion (Spain), Daniel Cervenka - The Convergence (Czech Republic)
About the organizers
European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) Thailand
A network of European Cultural Institutes that organize cultural events together. EUNIC Cluster Thailand is supported by Alliance Française, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Camões - Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, the Embassies of Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain as well as the EUNIC Cluster Fund. EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture – is Europe’s network of national cultural institutes and organizations, with 39 members from all EU Member States.
Creative Migration / Bangkok 1899
Creative Migration – an international arts organization based in Los Angeles and Bangkok – established Bangkok 1899 as a cultural & civic hub to provide vibrant exhibitions and performances through its signature International Artist Residency program. In addition, our partner, Na Projects, runs social impact programs at Na Cafe within Bangkok 1899. Na Projects supports underrecognized youths, migrant workers, and urban refugees, fostering their personal growth through skill development.
Alongside these initiatives, Bangkok 1899 acts as a model for Climate Action by implementing Creative Migration’s new Climate Policy to reduce the carbon footprint of all projects and day-to-day operations it hosts. Bangkok 1899 is also committed to producing Climate Impact Reports for key programs to develop the most relevant and effective environmentally regenerative practices.
Bangkok 1899's goal for its visitors is to create a light-hearted atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Our open space encourages individuals to pursue the lost art of leisure, and our hope is that the public can come together, experience art, have discussions, and discover new avenues of creativity.
Creative Economy Agency (CEA)
A key institution in Thailand focused on driving the Creative Economy towards balanced and sustainable growth. Established in 2018, the CEA supports and develops the creative economy, enhancing entrepreneurs, creating an ecosystem for creative personnel, and connecting with the wisdom, culture, and production sectors that drive the economy. Its main aim is to become the key driving force of Thailand’s Creative Economy in the global arena.
Extended CCAT Program
Entertainment + Culture (E+C) Pavilion
The Entertainment + Culture Pavilion is a hub for creativity, activism, ambition, and hope. As a non-profit initiative, the E+C Pavilion is committed to fostering community-led spaces where art, music, and storytelling come alive to fuel climate dialogues and foster a culture deeply rooted in climate action and justice. The first edition of the E+C Pavilion took place in Dubai for COP28 and it was co-organized by Climate Generation, Dubai Climate Collaborative, Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA), The Climate Propagandist, Sauntr Media and Youth Climate Collaborative (YCC). Beyond their impact at COP28, the E+C Pavilion is fostering a long-term ecosystem of partners, planning events at international climate and cultural gatherings, as well as developing an organizational long-term plan to fund, research, and build a movement for culture-based climate action. The E+C Pavilion is an initiative of the Entertainment + Culture Foundation, a Delaware non-profit with a new name and mission to be announced at Climate Week NYC.
The Entertainment + Culture (E+C) Pavilion bridges the culture gap by cultivating an ecosystem to harness the power of culture-based climate action and implement the Sustainable Development Goals across the creative industries. The ultimate impact of the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion transcends its activities and programs. They aim to do so through increasing ambition and awareness, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, establishing a global hub and offering infrastructure and mutual aid.
PRESENTING PARTNER CLIMATE POLICY
Bangkok 1899 and Creative Migration recognize the gravity of the Climate Crisis and environmental degradation. In our Climate Policy, we establish standards and expectations for our operations and the conduct of our team, partners, and resident artists. Our Climate Policy examines the following areas concerning our artists, exhibitions, and events:
Travel and Accommodations; Transportation of Materials; Waste and Recycling of Materials; Circularity of Waste; Energy Use; Digital Use; Food Production, Sourcing, and Waste; and Future Actions.
Link to read full policy: creativemigration.org/Climate-Policy
Carbon Emissions 43.04
Calculator: https://calculator.galleryclimatecoalition.org/
The calculations are mainly for the team and speakers invited by the organizers focused on the conference week. 77.3% of the speakers (8 Thai and 9 international speakers) attended in person, while 22.7% (5 international speakers) opted to attend their sessions via Zoom to reduce their emissions. The above calculations did not include the travel data of the guests who attended the Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand as they came from different countries, and we are not privy to their detailed travel routes. Furthermore, the data did not include the energy use of Soho House Bangkok, a members-only location, and the opening reception was also open to all Soho House members. We minimized shipping emissions by working closely with the CEA staff at TCDC to utilize the furniture and resources they have on-site.
To reduce local travel emissions, the international speakers stayed at ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, located near Bangkok 1899 and Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC), where CCAT events were held. Managed by Dusit International, they are committed to including sustainability in every aspect of their business. Mainly, they focus on climate action, responsible sourcing, human rights, social contribution and data privacy. Integrating the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a fundamental analysis framework guides how Dusit International identifies key business activities and opportunities that contribute to corporate sustainability.
Waste Report
Using a material afterlife checklist, we categorized the destination of material used in the exhibition.
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Waste Category |
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Remarks |
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Reuse: to be reused for the same purpose as the original use |
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Repurpose: to be kept, sold, or donated and used for a different purpose in the future |
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Storage: items sent to storage, but without a clear plan for immediate reuse or repurpose |
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Refuse: item was not used at all and therefore potential waste was avoided |
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Recycle: items placed in the recycling bin |
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Landfill items sent to a landfill |
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Consumable: “consumed” during the exhibition |
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Partners
Precious Plastic Bangkok is a community-based recycling organization working with local communities across Bangkok and indeed Thailand to build simple plastic recycling machines that can turn trash into cash. We work with 10 local communities across Thailand, schools and universities to collect and recycle plastic waste to then be manufactured into new exciting products using their open-source, cheap and easy-to-assemble machines. Their machines shred, melt and mold plastic waste into new creative shapes and forms including lamp shades, bowls, cups - whatever your imagination can come up with! This means that trash that once clogged canals and littered Bangkok’s streets can have a new life rather than ending up in our rivers or our seas.
Topgolf Thailand aims to provide its guests with delicious and innovative food and beverage options while minimizing environmental impact and supporting local communities. They use organic and local ingredients, produce plant-rich and seasonal menus, believe in food innovation and have transitioned towards renewable energy sources to power their operations. To eliminate waste sent to landfills, they adopt a comprehensive reduction, reuse and recycle (3R) system to minimize their environmental footprint.
Topgolf catered coffee in reusable coffee cups and sustainable lunch for both days of the Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand (CCAT) conference held on June 26-27.
Within Bangkok 1899 is Na Cafe, a collaborative space using food and drinks as a medium to connect, inspire and create social impact. Programs run through its café include: vocational training programs for at-risk youth; a monthly chef’s table by urban refugees; suspended coffee & beverage programs; and Zero Waste practices. Run by Sakson “Saks” Rouypirom (also founder of SATI, a non-profit platform focused on healthcare and education for children), Na Cafe serves beverages made from locally sourced products. Na Cafe catered food for the Creatives for Climate Action - Thailand (CCAT) Closing Reception held on the evening of June 27.
Additionally, food at the closing reception was also provided by our different partners including 8 bottles of wine (EUNIC Cluster), 10 bottles of wine (Alliance Francaise), 12 bottles of wine (Embassy of Luxembourg), 1x1 meter pan of paella and 5 boxes of tortilla omelet (Spanish Embassy) and 5 Austrian apple pies (Austrian Embassy).
Supporting People
Creative Migration is an organization that consists of individuals of diverse backgrounds. Working together with EUNIC Cluster Thailand, E+C Pavilion and The Convergence allowed for the coming together of multiple individuals from varied industries that aimed to value-add towards the Thai creative industry through sustainable methods through the creation of the CCAT Toolkit. Together, we curated a panel of mostly women speakers from different aspects of the creative industry across Thailand and Europe.
This report would also like to recognize the critical role of the CEA support team on-site who contributed greatly to the success of CCAT. In hosting their space and through their extensive network, they allowed for the public to engage with important Thai stakeholders like the representatives from the Thailand Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand Ministry of Culture and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Furthermore, they provided the energy use data of TCDC during the CCAT conference.
Another contributing partner of CCAT is Soho House which hosted the CCAT Opening Reception held on the evening of June 25. Soho House is a global membership platform for creatives that connects a vibrant and diverse group of members. Their commitment to supporting, connecting and growing goes beyond the walls of their membership Houses. Soho House’s sustainability program aims to reduce the impact of their business on the environment. They have set ambitious 2030 goals to reduce carbon emissions in their direct operations and supply chain which is to promote responsible consumption and divert food and non-food waste from landfills; to minimize environmentally harmful practices in our sites; and to uphold an environmental and ethical standard in our supply chain. Additionally, Soho’s impact is tracked and measured against UN Sustainable Development Goals. To demonstrate their commitment to working towards a fair and sustainable planet, they have signed the UN Global Compact.
Finally, the E+C Pavillion held at Bangkok 1899 on June 28-29 also welcomed a lot of community engagement with an estimated attendance of 50 people over two days. The workshop conducted by Kirsten Wessel (Sauntr) - Audiovisual Sovereignty and Media Production Workshop especially allowed participants to closely engage with the community at the Nang Loeng Market ไฮลี่ไดฟุกุ (Hai-li Dai-fu-ku) Mochi Shop. Raveedaon “Estrella” Montien also carried out a tarot reading session regarding participants’ environmental practice during the second day of the pavilion which was very well received.
Collective Action:
Climate Impact Reports
Since 2021, Susannah Tantemsapya has served on the Convening Team of Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA), a global collaborative initiative to unite the cultural sector on shared climate goals and solutions. Initially conceived by the President of the UN General Assembly, ECCA has brought together stakeholders in the film and television sector and will gradually expand to include all entertainment and culture including theater, music, performing arts and visual arts. ECCA is part of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, a framework to support implementation of the Paris Agreement by non-State actors and advance ambition by strengthening collaboration between governments and key stakeholders, under the leadership of the High-Level Champions. The launch of this initiative is supported by: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and the UN Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO).
Governance: A Convening Team and Steering Committee composed of experts from entertainment and the arts, sustainability, and academia; and a General Assembly of +430 global members of the entertainment sector. This initiative would like to engage with Artists Commit when we start to focus on the art world.
Creating the CCAT Toolkit
The main outcome of the CCAT Conference is the creation of a comprehensive, easy-to-use toolkit to support Thailand’s cultural event organizers towards their green transition. Developed as part of the EUNIC Cluster Thailand project, it includes practical tools, guidance and contact details of partners that can help event organizers to reduce their own environmental impact. As part of a long-term goal to support local creative industries, this first-of-its-kind initiative aims to be a tool for network building and raise awareness about sustainable art and culture.
This bilingual resource, available in English and Thai, includes a downloadable PDF and contents include best practices, company profiles of sustainable suppliers (Catering, Mobility, Location & Accommodation, Energy & Water, Equipment & Materials, Procurement & Waste, Communications, Social Responsibility, etc.), climate literacy, and case studies from local Thai and European industry partners. The publication date is currently set to October 2024. For more information visit creativesforclimateaction.org.
To kick-start the creation of this toolkit, Susannah Tantemsapya, Samuel Rubin, Céline Schall and Daniel Cervenka conducted a workshop session during the CCAT conference to welcome engagement and input from Thai creatives. This session encouraged a conversation about the cross-sharing of existing resources from different parts of Thailand and Europe. Some notable local resources were shared by Pat Satkhum from TCEB, BIPAM representatives, Wayla Amatathammacad from Prayoon Art Foundation and Raveedaon “Estrella'' Montien.
Additional Notes/Closing Thoughts
"I am grateful for the opportunity to produce Thailand’s first climate conference for the creative industry. This collaborative and proactive effort has laid the groundwork to transform our creative practices and drive sustainable innovation. I loved witnessing the collective energy and dialogue when we brought together well-known local practitioners with their EU counterparts. In doing so, CCAT is establishing Thailand as a global leader at the intersection of culture and environmental stewardship. I hope CCAT expands into a long-term initiative, making our toolkit the go-to platform for sustainable production in Thailand.”
– Susannah Tantemsapya, Founder & Executive Director, Creative Migration / Bangkok 1899
"I hope organizing the CCAT conference and publishing the toolkit will be like casting a pebble into a vast ocean: initiating the first ripple on the surface, followed by many waves. I hope that CCAT serves as a conversation starter at dinner parties, a reference point for event organizers across Southeast Asia and a networking opportunity for professionals from around the globe."
– Lidia Vajda, Communications and Program Manager, Creative Migration
“CCAT is an exceptional event pioneering climate action by creating buzz and interaction between the government and private sectors. The CIR report is tangible proof, and I would like to see more of its implementation within local talents and translated into Thai.”
– Waranya “Ying” Tieammuang, Events Manager, Creative Migration
“The CCAT conference was a successful event that brought many organizations, initiatives and individuals together to discuss climate action. It was exciting to hear from Thai creative professionals about their steps towards sustainability, as well as learning about climate initiatives from other countries.”
– Korakot “Anji” Bartley, Intern, Creative Migration
“Writing this report has made me realize the sustainable efforts that need to be considered at every level of production and the importance of effective communication with various stakeholders, especially for a large-scale event like CCAT. The coming together of different creative industry actors to advocate for a better working climate was hopeful. I would love to see more local stakeholders empowered at every aspect of future Creatives for Climate Action conferences or events.”
– Juliana Hisham, Intern, Creative Migration
Credits
Project Contact: Susannah Tantemsapya - Creative Migration (USA/Thailand), Juliana Hisham - Creative Migration Intern (Singapore)
Other credits of people contributing to this report: Lidia Vajda - Creative Migration (Hungary/Thailand), Waranya “Ying” Tiemmuang - Creative Migration (Thailand), Korakot “Anji” Bartley - Creative Migration Intern (Thailand), Gobithan Thayalan - Creative Migration Intern (Thailand)
Link to Project: https://creativesforclimateaction.org/