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Our strategy
Custodianship commits us to a holistic approach, understanding our work and its impacts on our communities, non-human kin, and the land as a living entity within the system of Country.
There are many ways we can move towards regeneration and restoration, from measurable reductions in waste and emissions to thought-provoking public programming, as well as making the collection available to researchers, content producers and the wider community as a resource within the sustainability and climate action conversation.
Our Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy outlines three key strategies to pave the way for a more sustainable, regenerative future:
1. Question everything: in everything we do, we keep the question of sustainability alive.
2. Touch the Earth lightly: we implement and evolve sustainable practices, processes, and tools.
3. Make it count: we measure and report our progress and achievements, and exchange knowledge and inspiration, including the use of the collection
Download the Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy
Image: Elements of Country by Yerrabingin
Transformative audiovisual art
As a national cultural institution and Australia’s audiovisual archive, we’re uniquely positioned to curate powerful and thought-provoking audiovisual experiences. Our Canberra building is a place where people can gather to learn, reflect and be inspired to take action that moves us towards a more sustainable future.
Ghost Trees
Ghost Trees is an immersive journey into the ‘digital memory’ of the endangered Rushworth Forest on the lands of the Ngurai-illam Wurrung people in Victoria. Created by Australian artists James McGrath and Gary Sinclair, this installation transforms real-world environmental data captured by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, offering a new way to connect to nature and reflect on our place within it – and our impacts on it. Ephemeral, artistic and deeply moving, Ghost Trees brings together science, big data and audiovisual art in a compelling portrait of what we are losing from the world around us.
Temple
Temple is a striking audiovisual artwork created by Australian artists Leila Jeffreys and Melvin J. Montalban that celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty of native cockatoos. First commissioned for VIVID Sydney, Temple drew thousands of viewers to the NFSA between April and June 2024, to experience stunning slow-motion visuals of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Galahs and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos playing across a triptych of towering screens. A shallow pool of still water extended the dramatic impact of the larger-than-life birds, evoking the beauty of natural waterways and presenting a space for quiet contemplation.
Conversation and collaboration
The NFSA is a creative and cultural hub where people can share knowledge and take part in conversations around topics such as sustainability and climate action.
The Better Futures Forum will be held at the NFSA in Canberra on 10–11 September 2024, bringing industry, community and government voices together for Australia’s largest multi-sectoral climate forum. In 2023, the NFSA hosted a series of events for the ACT Government’s inaugural winter innovation festival, Uncharted Territory, including a cross-sector panel dedicated to sustainability.
The popular Science. Art. Film. collaboration between the NFSA and the Australian National University (ANU) is another example of inclusive and participatory science communications. Held monthly, these free screenings are followed by lively panel discussions with experts from the ANU and other institutions, exploring the relationship between art and science and how they're represented in films.
Everyday sustainability
We’re committed to embedding sustainability and climate action into our everyday work practices.
Recycling film cans
Film cans protect the film from dust, water, sunlight and unnecessary handling. Our Conservation and Collection Management teams have reduced film wastage by modifying older cans that would previously have gone to landfill so they can be safely reused to protect and store collection materials.
The NFSA has also donated more than 1,300 excess cans to the National Film Institute of Papua New Guinea through the Pacific Partnerships Project.
Towards net zero
The NFSA is a voluntary participant in emissions reporting trials run by the Climate Action in Government Operations unit. In 2023, we reported on emissions from electricity, natural gas, fleet vehicles and flights, and gave feedback on the data collection process and the reporting tool itself.
We are currently participating in a second trial which incorporates additional emissions sources including solid waste, refrigerants, accommodation and hire cars.
Responsible glove disposal
We are reducing waste to landfill by recycling disposable gloves via TerraCycle, a global leader in waste management.
We've installed collection boxes across our Acton and Mitchell locations so that staff can recycle nitrile, PVC, vinyl, latex and polyethylene gloves.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.