(2) Action Plans, Guidelines and Protocols

Almost everything can be reinvented, and looking at successful guidelines and examples will give you the confidence to take the pledge and make the necessary changes in your institution.

ICCROM’s Our Collections Matter (OCM) Toolkit: The OCM initiative was launched in 2020 to support collection-based organizations in turning their sustainability aspirations and commitments into action.

The programme’s backbone is the 3Ts approach: Tools, Training, and Transformation. With the open-access tools and training provided through OCM, museums from around the world can boost their ‘SDG-literacy’, have easy access to knowledge and resources to concretely enhance their contribution to sustainable development through collections-based work by searching through the “5Ps” (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership), the 17 SDGs, the SDG targets, or a selection of sustainable development-oriented actions, and lead positive transformation in the heritage sector and in the communities they serve.

Rethinking Touring Exhibitions: A tool to help reduce the environmental impact of touring exhibitions. October 2024. Art Fund, in partnership with the Design Museum and The Exhibitions Group, have produced this touring tool to support museum professionals to ask the right questions at the right time. It also signposts a variety of resources to help teams gather data and access further research to make informed decisions. This tool was created for UK institutions developing or co-producing touring exhibitions, but can be adapted for other types of projects. Underpinning this tool are the 5 Ps of Sustainable Development – People, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership and of course, Planet.

Using the Resources at Hand: Sustainable Exhibition Design, October 2024, by The Centre for Sustainable Curating. Every step of exhibition design, from the initial organization to the deinstallation, can benefit from a lower carbon footprint. The guide offers tips for low-carbon design, outlines resources in Southwestern Ontario (with a focus on London) and includes information on borrowing and sharing resources and materials at Western University and elsewhere. Version 4 also includes examples from galleries across Ontario and Quebec, student projects, and new information on sustainable materials and approaches to exhibition design. 

Exploring Sustainability Across the Arts: Signage Toolkit and Emerging Perspectives, FOFA Gallery, 2024. Exploring Sustainability Across the Arts (ESA) is an initiative by FOFA Gallery at Concordia University that aims to explore sustainable alternatives to vinyl exhibition signage, along with perspectives on sustainability across the arts. According to the Centre for Sustainable Curating, vinyl PVC lettering is commonly used for exhibition signage for its affordability and professional look. However, PVC is a highly toxic plastic that does not biodegrade and has a lifespan of at least 1000 years, and as a result this plastic becomes toxic waste.  Through a series of hands-on workshops, in-gallery experiments, collaborations with artists and conversations with others working on similar ideas, the FOFA Gallery has been working since 2022 to develop and document alternative materials and techniques for creating gallery signage. 

Guidelines: Climate protection in museums, by NEMO (Network of European Museum Organisations). Climate protection in museums guidelines is a useful resource aimed at empowering museums to participate actively in the pressing global issues of climate change and sustainability. It was developed as part of the German Museums Association’s project ‘Climate Protection and Sustainability in Museums’ by a working group of 70 museum professionals and other experts and explores how museums can become active drivers, guiding society through their activities and influence to foster a transition towards a more sustainable future. This guide is structured to provide concrete solutions, from initiating climate impact assessments to integrating sustainability into working mechanisms and educating on climate change.

Access Toolkit for Artworkers, created by Caroyln Lazard, Sins Invalid, Unlimited, Leah Clements, Alice Hattrick and Lizzy Rose, following a Disability Justice approach and Talila A Lewis’s definition of ableism in Accessibility In the Arts: A Promise and a Practice. It is supported by Arts Council England and field:arts. This is a practical resource for artworkers, such as curators, producers and arts administrators working independently or in galleries, museums and arts organisations. This toolkit contains practical information on how to plan, produce, and exhibit accessible art projects including information on access riders, financial planning, slow production, display, and creating an accessible workplace.

Guía de Autoevaluación en Sostenibilidad de Museos, from the Ibermuseos Program to support management and promote sustainable practices in museum institutions. It is an intuitive and accessible self-diagnostic tool built on a multidimensional and integrated perspective that will allow museums to review themselves and know their degree of sustainability. To this end, the Guide assumes the transversal concept of sustainability to address from management practices, to communication and mediation, through preservation and conservation to research and programming, without neglecting the involvement and participation of communities.

Climate Adaptation and Environmental Action. The National Visual Arts Association of Australia proposes a set of Principles, Ethics, and Rights in which this Climate Adaptation and Environmental Action plan is included. The arts have played a significant role in social change movements through history, and can play a leading role in community awareness of and responses to the climate crisis.

The Museo Moderno's Sustainability Programme: The Museo Moderno aims to become a benchmark space in terms of sustainable development. To do so, we have taken into account the social, environmental, and economic aspects of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, grouped into the ‘5 Ps’, in accordance with the criteria of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). See all the actions implemented.

Moved to Action: Activating UNDRIP in Canadian Museums: In 2015, the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) was named in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #67, to deliver a report and recommendations as part of a national review of museum policies and their relationship with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Ethical Fundraising Strategy by GCC: All funding that GCC receives will be used to continue this work without compromising its values. GCC recognises that in order to protect its reputation and maintain its independence, it needs to evaluate and assess all sources of income and support. This document gives an overview of GCC's fundraising strategy and its policies relating to ethical financial support.

ACMI Museum of Screen Image Disability & Inclusion Action Plan 2023–2025: This plan outlines the ambitious but vital steps the museum is taking on its journey to becoming a much more widely accessible museum. Importantly, these actions have been developed in consultation with Deaf and disabled artists and advocates, including their colleagues at Arts Access Victoria, and they build on the achievements of their previous 2019-2022 Disability & Inclusion Action Plan.

Guidance and inspiration for the ecological transition of culture: museums now have a leading strategic document designed by the French Ministry of Culture: “ The value of this guide, says Karine Duquesnoy, senior civil servant for ecological transition and sustainable development at the Ministry of Culture, is to deal with different issues in a transversal way, with increased attention, as regards museums, on the eco-design of exhibitions, public mobility, energy sobriety, and training." The guide has many quantified objectives, including the fact that “ each cultural structure has a carbon balance sheet or benchmark by 2025 ".

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art - Sustainability Strategy towards 2025: With a targeted, ambitious and knowledge-based effort, Louisiana will ensure that sustainability becomes an integral part of all activities at the museum. This is crucial for the continued organic and dynamic development of the museum both as an international landmark and as an exceptional venue for art, culture, nature and people.

Van Gogh Museum Sustainability targets for 2030: In 2023, the Van Gogh Museum was awarded a new BREEAM-NL In-Use sustainability certificate. The museum achieved a ‘Very Good’ rating for the building and its management, and an ‘Excellent’ rating for its use. In addition to the sustainability targets for its buildings, the Van Gogh Museum has also set targets for mental well-being and the environment. The museum also adheres to the Sustainable Development Goals determined by the United Nations for 2030.

Bizot Green Protocol refreshed 2023: The refreshed 2023 version of the Bizot Green Protocol is a science-based guiding principles, climate control guidelines, and a set of handbooks to accompany the protocol, offering scientific evidence, museum testimonials, and practical tools to facilitate its seamless adoption and implementation.

Arts Council England's Environmental Responsibility (ER) Action Plan: Arts Council England operates within spheres of control and influence that significantly impact its carbon footprint. Recognizing that a substantial part of its carbon footprint is associated with the organizations and individuals it funds, they have taken comprehensive measures to address this through its Environmental Programme. Arts Council England's ER action plan focuses primarily on its operations and offices, where they have greater flexibility to make changes. They are actively working in areas such as travel and training to reduce their carbon footprint. Recognizing the challenges posed by government frameworks and statutory services, they strive to influence change through conversation, knowledge sharing and leadership. Recognizing the carbon footprint associated with the Arts Council Collection, they are taking steps to address this. The Collection's storage facility, managed by Hayward Gallery, Southbank, will move to a unique re-used building in Coventry, designed and managed to high environmental standards.

Guggenheim Sustainability Plan: The Guggenheim is committed to building a more sustainable future. Cultural institutions are uniquely positioned to influence change in people, our communities, and the world. While we recognize the impact of art museums on the environment—our very existence depends on the movement of objects and people—we must remain adaptable and accountable as we endeavor to develop solutions and understand our place in creating a greener path forward.

National Gallery Singapore Sustainability Plan: As a progressive art museum, National Gallery Singapore is dedicated to fostering sustainability through practices that prioritize environmental respect, positive social impact, and financial responsibility. The Gallery is committed to being future-ready by developing its people, articulating its social impact, and adopting new sustainable practices that contribute positively to the wider arts community.

V&A Sustainability Plan 2021–24: Sustainability is crucial to the delivery of the V&A’s mission and is already woven into much of what we do. It is at the heart of our role to think about what and how we make and consume, and the efect of this on society and the natural environment.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Sustainability Policy: The purpose of this Sustainability Policy is to further our commitment to environmental sustainability and ambitions to improve our environmental performance. This Policy is supported by our Sustainability Plan. The Sustainability Policy further demonstrates our commitment to First Peoples whose livelihoods and cultural continuity is dependent on access to healthy waterways, land and other natural resources. First Peoples language, material culture and oral histories are intrinsically linked to land, waterways and the natural environment and are dependent on the health of these environments for their survival.

TATE: Tate’s virtual first courier policy both for loans from collection and loans to exhibitions. This document is intended to offer guidance for ways of working to facilitate a virtual process for overseeing the movement of an artwork on loan to Tate or lent from Tate’s Collection. The detail given here provides an overview and offers ways of working that are intended to be readily adaptable rather than offering instruction.

Tate Courier: Principles and Guidelines

Tate: Realising a virtual courier

M+: Sustainability is a key pillar of M+. Our Impact Framework says: “We are committed to social and cultural wellbeing, and environmental and financial sustainability. We will continue to nurture our social and corporate responsibility while accelerating our response to climate change.” Now is the time for M+ to articulate a cohesive sustainability approach.

Australian Museum: The implementation of the Australian Museum’s Sustainability Action Plan has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and together with three strategic carbon offset programs the AM is proudly carbon neutral.