As cultural institutions dedicated to preserving the past and educating the public, galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) are uniquely responsible for addressing contemporary challenges, including environmental sustainability. Increasingly, GLAMs worldwide adopt sustainable practices to minimize their environmental impact and set an example for their communities. These efforts transform museums into greener, more responsible institutions, from eco-friendly building designs to energy-efficient operations.

The Importance of Sustainability for GLAMs

Galleries, libraries, archives, and museums are often large, resource-intensive buildings requiring significant energy for lighting, climate control, and day-to-day operations. By adopting sustainable practices, they can reduce their carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, GLAMs have a powerful platform to educate the public about sustainability and inspire positive environmental action.

Key Sustainable Practices

Green Building Design

Many museums are incorporating green building principles into their design and construction. This includes using sustainable materials, maximizing natural light, and installing green roofs or solar panels.

• California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
  This museum features a living roof with native plants, solar panels, and an innovative ventilation system that reduces energy consumption. More information can be found on their website.

Sustainability in Action

See how we’re shrinking our carbon footprint, expanding our conservation work, and helping you to get involved.

• The Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro
  Designed with sustainability in mind, this museum uses natural light, recycles water, and relies on renewable energy sources. Details are available here.

Welcome | Museu do Amanhã

Welcome. You’re in different kind of science museum

Energy Efficiency

Museums are implementing energy-efficient technologies to reduce their energy use. This includes LED lighting, smart climate control systems, and energy-efficient HVAC systems.

• The Louvre, Paris
  The Louvre has undertaken extensive renovations to improve energy efficiency, including upgrading lighting systems to LEDs and improving insulation. Learn more about their efforts here.

Louvre Museum Official Website

Welcome to the Louvre – prepare your visit, explore the palace and museum collections and check out the latest news

• The National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
  This museum has incorporated geothermal wells to manage heating and cooling efficiently. Further information is available on their site.

Home Page | National Museum of the American Indian

The NMAI fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Museums and libraries are reducing waste through comprehensive recycling programs, composting organic waste, and minimizing single-use plastics.

• The Field Museum, Chicago
  This museum has implemented a zero-waste program to divert 90% of its waste from landfills through recycling and composting. More details can be found here.

Explore the World at the Field – Field Museum

Curious about planning your visit

• The Natural History Museum, London
  This institution has taken steps to reduce plastic waste and encourages visitors to use refillable water bottles. Their sustainability initiatives are outlined here.

Sustainable Exhibitions

GLAMs design exhibitions with sustainability in mind, using recycled or reusable materials and considering the environmental impact of shipping and installation.

• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
  MoMA has developed guidelines for sustainable exhibition design, focusing on materials, transportation, and energy use. You can read more about their practices here.

MoMA

MoMA is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds, and provides inspiration. Its extraordinary exhibitions and collection of modern and contemporary art are dedicated to helping you understand and enjoy the art of our time.

• The Victoria and Albert Museum, London
  This museum has created exhibitions using sustainable materials and practices, including the “Fashioned from Nature” exhibit, which highlights eco-friendly fashion. Additional information is available here.

The family of art, design and performance museums · V&A

Welcome to the V&A – the family of art, design and performance museums

Community Engagement and Education

GLAMs are leveraging their role as educational institutions to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.

• The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
  The Smithsonian offers various programs and exhibits focused on sustainability and climate change. Explore their initiatives here.

Smithsonian Institution

Today, Friday, January 19, the following Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., are open:

• The Australian Museum, Sydney
  This museum engages the public in sustainability programs, including citizen science projects and educational workshops. More can be found here.

Australian Museum

Discover the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific region at Australia’s first museum in Sydney.

Conclusion

By embracing sustainable practices, museums can significantly reduce their environmental impact while educating and inspiring the public to take action on climate change. These institutions play a crucial role in demonstrating the importance of sustainability and leading by example. As museums continue to innovate and implement green practices, they contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

Author: John Suau