With the rise of climate strikes globally and questions directed at museum accepting sponsorship by companies perceived with negative environmental costs, climate awareness is an aspect that museums and cultural institutions can no longer ignore.
To help cultural institutions find the path to climate neutrality, the International Committee for Museum and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) released the Toolkit on Environmental Sustainability in the Museum Practice, based upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.
Leading this project is Frances Morris, Tate Modern Director, CIMAM Board Member and Sustainability Working Group Chair.
‘We can be so much more powerful if we act together, whatever our scale, or focus, or location. There simply is no time to lose,’ said Morris in a statement.
‘Concerns about climate and ecological emergency and interest in addressing it is gaining huge momentum across the sector … what is positive is how the emergency is encouraging a new kind of collaboration and new networks of support are beginning to be visible,’ Morris continued.
Read: Experts say our galleries and museums need to become greener
With contributions from CIMAM Board Members 2020-22, the Toolkit makes a call-to-action through successful examples of climate solutions currently implemented by various museums around the world.
Cultural workers can look to the Tate Modern London’s virtual first courier policy and M+’s Sustainability Strategy for ways to implement institutional changes.
In Australia, Sydney’s Australian Museum achieved carbon neutrality through implementation of their 2019-2021 Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions together with three carbon offset programs.
Many other arts organisations in Australia join them in creating their own SAPs to take a holistic approach.
‘Artists are at the forefront of activism and we, as trusted civic organisations, have a responsibility, both to them and to our audiences, to publicise the emergency situation.’
Frances Morris, Tate Modern Director, CIMAM Board Member
Exhibitions and programs, museum staff, and operations and building efficiency are three categories where climate impact can be addressed. Some suggested strategies include utilising digital technologies to reduce staff travels, investing in reusable exhibition furniture, and creating virtual materials for better online access.
For those looking to assess their current carbon status, carbon footprint calculations and certificates are available at GCC Gallery Climate Coalition, Climate Neutral Certificate, Certified B Corporation, and United Nations Climate Neutral Now.
Australian institutions can seek advice from engeco, which covers energy and climate change consultations in Australasia.
Also included is an insightful list of projects, platforms, resources and readings to understand, raise awareness and inspire change towards tackling climate change for the cultural sector.
Morris adds: ‘Climate emergency is not just about global warming. It is one of a number of intersecting emergencies where the entanglement of the planet and people over many centuries is evidence in global inequalities: social, economic, racial and gendered, as well as ecological disaster.’
‘Artists are at the forefront of activism and we, as trusted civic organisations, have a responsibility, both to them and to our audiences, to publicise the emergency situation and, in my opinion, take a stand,’ she concluded.
The Toolkit will be updated periodically alongside the emergence of new strategies, ideas and resources.
View the full Toolkit on CIMAM.
