In 2022, ADAA commissioned the fair's first-ever Sustainability Roadmap—a comprehensive guide assessing aspects of the fair with potential impact on climate and overall environmental wellness. By identifying short-, mid-, and long-term goals, this initiative charts a course toward understanding the environmental significance of large-scale events and encourages greater sustainability practices going forward.

In 2022, a pilot group of exhibitors began tracking the climate impact of their participation using the Climate Impact Report (CIR) model developed by Artists Commit, tailored by LHL Consulting. Beyond building climate-fluency among exhibitors, this data now informs the design of more environmentally responsible future events. Participation expanded to all exhibitors the following years, and case studies of the resulting data is available through Artists Commit.

Climate Impact Reporting led to more climate-responsible decision-making for exhibitors when planning their booths. In 2023, 33 galleries submitted CIR reports, a first climate action for 16, and a first emissions calculation for 15. Air freight and flights remained the highest-emission areas for exhibitor booths, and galleries often made intentional choices to reduce waste.

What exhibitors said: This project motivated us to work with the exhibiting artist to find ways to reduce waste while also supporting the aesthetic of her sculptures.

In 2024, 46 of 75 exhibiting galleries submitted a report, more than doubling the number calculating emissions data, from 12 to 25. Of those reporting, 64% (29 galleries) engaged an external stakeholder, most often vendors or artists. Better data collection continued to give us clearer insights year over year.

What exhibitors said: I had always known we were conscious of our environmental impact, but being able to actually put these actions into numbers makes our gallery initiatives feel worthwhile.

Sustainability initiatives achieved:

• Removed single-use carpeting and cut decorative scrims by 50%; reused reclaimed-lumber ticketing desks and existing carpeting
• Switched to all-LED lighting and digital programs, paperless tickets, and signage
• Added water stations to cut single-use plastics; used 100% compostable café/hospitality packaging and reduced pre-prepared food waste
• Pre-sorted recyclables onsite for accurate waste tracking
• Hosted climate action planning webinars with LHL Consulting
• Made its first-ever donation to support a U.S.-based land conservation project, via Art into Acres.

The ADAA Fair is committed to a more environmentally conscious future, continuing to build on these efforts as it looks ahead to this year’s fair.