Museums Association (MA)
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2008)
Reporting Period: 2008
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
Environmental Achievements
- Natural History Museum reduced carbon dioxide emissions below 2000 levels, aiming for a 5% yearly reduction.
- V&A aimed to reduce energy consumption by 25% over five years.
- National Maritime Museum reduced gas use by 15% and electricity by 12% between 2000 and 2006.
Social Achievements
- Museums strengthening relationships with society, becoming more audience-focused and accountable.
- Increased engagement with diverse communities and actively developing new audiences.
Governance Achievements
- Revision of the MA Code of Ethics to emphasize sustainable collections management.
Climate Goals & Targets
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5% a year (NHM example)
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce energy consumption
Environmental Challenges
- Many museums are overstretched and financially weak, vulnerable to decline.
- Uncertainty about funding leads to short-term thinking.
- High energy consumption in museum buildings.
- Expanding collections without effective management.
- Potential conflict between internal museum environment and global environmental health.
- Limited understanding of energy costs of museum work.
- Growth in museum size and services without corresponding increase in funding.
- Over-reliance on blockbuster exhibitions.
Mitigation Strategies
- Diversifying income sources.
- Improving energy efficiency in buildings.
- Reviewing collection-care standards and loan agreements.
- Promoting green transport alternatives.
- Exploring alternative service delivery models.
- Focusing on core business activities.
- Considering partnerships and mergers.
- Adopting triple bottom-line accounting.
- Promoting a more gradual, continual approach to change and renewal of displays.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Using local suppliers, green office supplies, environmentally friendly exhibition materials