Glass that breathes with nature: a new tool for environmentally conscious glass artists

At the Energy Conference held from April 14 to 17, 2025, at the Zlatibor Resort Hotel in Zlatibor, an innovative online carbon footprint calculator was presented. This tool was developed within the international project Glassmaking Tradition Meets Innovation, funded by the Creative Europe programme.

The digital tool is designed to help artists, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs working with glass to calculate the carbon footprint of various handcrafted glass creations.

The outcome of this project directly aligns contemporary artistic production with the European Union’s green paradigm, making it consistent with the goals of sustainable development and climate neutrality. The calculator aims to empower glass artists and artisans by making them more aware, responsible, and better equipped for a carbon-neutral future. Through this tool, creative practices become part of a broader European framework for reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy.

This innovative EU tool not only enables assessment of the environmental impact of glass production but also promotes active participation of the cultural and creative sectors in the green transition. The calculator is the result of interdisciplinary collaboration between partners from Serbia, Slovenia, and Denmark and is part of a broader goal to enhance the quality of glasswork within the European market.

Photos: Courtesy of the Association of Energy Professionals.