1. Comparative CO2 estimates are now included on all our estimates as standard. 

This not only provides visibility on the emissions generated by each shipment, making carbon reporting and monitoring much easier but it is our hope that by including a comparison in emissions between alternative freight options clients may choose to explore freight options that result in less CO2 emissions. 

2. We continue to offer alternatives to air freight, where applicable.

For clients looking to explore sea freight, more information can be found here on when sea freight is a viable option and how to ensure that the insurance guidelines are followed when shipping works via sea.

For road freight, we continue to offer a regular consolidated shuttle service between London and the most popular destinations in Europe, including Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam, and Basel. For information on our latest shuttle dates, email info@queensfineart.com

3. Art fair deadlines for sea freight and road transport are shared well in advance.

We understand that shipping works via sea often results in a longer lead time and requires a little more planning. In order to make this as easy as possible for clients, we have produced an Art Fair Schedule for 2022 which outlines all the freight deadlines for sea and road shipping to the major art fairs that Queen’s will be servicing in 2022. This can be downloaded here. 

4. Re-usable crates, such as ROKBOX, remain on hand for all our clients.

For clients looking to explore reusable crate options, we have a number of ROKBOX on site. These can be used to reduce the amount of bespoke crating and packing required when moving works both internationally and abroad. We also offer to reuse any appropriate crates before we dispose of them.

However, there is clearly a still a long way to go if we are to meet our target of reducing our carbon emissions by 50% in line with the Paris Agreement. With that in mind, we continue to donate to Client Earth, as standard, on every shipment and more information on how this is calculated can be found here.

If you would like any further information on how we can support in reducing the environmental impact of your shipments email info@queensfineart.com and our team will be in touch.

This trial will be supported by the Gallery Climate Coalition – an international charity that provides environmental guidelines for the arts sector in order to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by a minimum of 50% by 2030, in line with Paris Climate Agreement. GCC also has over 800 members in 20 countries around the world and offers free membership available to all.

To prevent climate change from escalating even further, we need to shift the way the market operates and move towards a circular economy. The initial trial will take place this October during Frieze Art Fair . The purpose of which is to limit the need to purchase new materials which then end up in a landfill after being used at the fair.

Barder Shuttle will provide complementary collection and delivery service around London between zones 1-3. Additionally it will allow galleries across London to either source the materials they need, or to donate used or unwanted items. Those who want to share their materials via the shuttle will have up to 3 cubic meters of space.

Reducing waste with Barder, key steps:

1. Go to www.barder.art to view or use their database of materials.

2. You will need to create an account in order to list the items you no longer need.

3. If you want to source an item, follow this link, and contact the listing party to claim it.

4. Once you’ve confirmed the details between you and the poster, use this link to request a free shuttle transfer.

5. Queen’s will then get back to you with the shuttle availability and a 2-hour slot for a delivery window, which can be rescheduled upon request.

6. After this, your item will be delivered to your chosen destination. Once you’ve finished using it, you can reupload it back onto the Barder website to give it a new life once again.

The trial will continue until the end of 2022, and, if successful, it will be extended indefinitely to involve other organisations and logistics providers.

If you have any questions, or would like to learn more, contact info@barder.art  & info@galleryclimatecoalition.org

Moreover, since launching last week, a number of items have been uploaded by the likes of Hauser & Wirth & Thomas Dane, including the below.

We also recently held a Q&A session on our social channels to answer any outstanding questions that you may have regarding sourcing the materials or signing up for the shuttle services.  Below are some of the highlights.

Q1: What kind of items can I source on the shuttle?

You can source any materials and packaging such as crates, frames, fabric, plywood, as well as any furniture pieces you no longer need.

Q2: Is this an ongoing art courier service provided by Barder and Queen’s?

This first trial run will be available through the end of the year, however, if successful we will extend it indefinitely.

Q3: Where can I see which items are available?

To see which items are available on Barder, visit: https://www.barder.art/source

Q4: Where will items be stored?

At this stage in the trial, storage isn’t included as standard. This means that many clients opt to keep items in their existing storage facilities. That said, in most circumstances, it will make the process more efficient if items uploaded to Barder are stored at the Queen’s facility. Additionally, if you’d like Queen’s to store your items, please get in touch and we can arrange this for you.

Q5: What happens to the materials that have been reused but are no longer needed?

After you’re finally done with using your sourced items, we would encourage you to upload them back onto Barder. Thus, you can make them available to other users and keep the circular materials use going.

Q6:Will the shuttle service be available anywhere in London

Barder Shuttle is currently available within Central London, Zones 1-3.

To find out more, visit https://www.barder.art/shuttle

B Corp

Using business as a force for good.

So what is a B Corporation?

Put simply, certified B Corps are companies who are committed to prioritising their employees, clients, community and environment in the way that they do business.

We’re proud to stand alongside likeminded businesses such as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Aesop and TOMS.

Certified B Corporations® are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. B Corps are independently assessed to ensure that they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Over the past three years our business has been rigorously analysed, with a focus on five key impact areas.

Workers

Workers evaluates a company’s contributions to its employees’ financial security, health & safety, wellness, career development, and engagement & satisfaction. In addition, this section recognises business models designed to benefit workers, such as companies that are at least 40% owned by non-executive employees and those that have workforce development programs to support individuals with barriers to employment.

Community

Community evaluates a company’s engagement with and impact on the communities in which it operates, hires from, and sources from. Topics include diversity, equity & inclusion, economic impact, civic engagement, charitable giving, and supply chain management. In addition, this section recognises business models that are designed to address specific community-oriented problems, such as poverty alleviation through fair trade sourcing or distribution via microenterprises, producer cooperative models, locally focused economic development, and formal charitable giving commitments.

Customers

Customers evaluates a company’s stewardship of its customers through the quality of its products and services, ethical marketing, data privacy and security, and feedback channels. In addition, this section recognises products or services that are designed to address a particular social problem for or through its customers, such as health or educational products, arts & media products, serving underserved customers/clients, and services that improve the social impact of other businesses or organisations.

Governance

Governance evaluates a company’s overall mission, engagement around its social/environmental impact, ethics, and transparency. This section also evaluates the ability of a company to protect their mission and formally consider stakeholders in decision making through their corporate structure (e.g. benefit corporation) or corporate governing documents.

Environment

Environment evaluates a company’s overall environmental management practices as well as its impact on the air, climate, water, land, and biodiversity. This includes the direct impact of a company’s operations and, when applicable its supply chain and distribution channels. This section also recognises companies with environmentally innovative production processes and those that sell products or services that have a positive environmental impact. Some examples might include products and services that create renewable energy, reduce consumption or waste, conserve land or wildlife, provide less toxic alternatives to the market, or educate people about environmental problems.

What’s next?

Undertaking the rigorous assessment and achieving B Corp status is just the beginning. Though we’re proud of everything that we’ve achieved at Queen’s, the process offered huge insights into aspects of the business where we can still do better. We’re far from perfect, but we’re committed to improving in every way we can.

You can find out more about our performance on the B Corp website.