This page is your central hub for guidance, tools, and inspiration on making conservation practice more sustainable. Whether you're looking for practical checklists, case studies, or the latest research, our curated collection supports professionals seeking to reduce environmental impact in their work. Explore by topic, format, or resource type, and check back regularly as we continue to expand this growing knowledge base.
How to go Paper free for Icon News and Journals
Did you know that as part of our ongoing drive to reduce our environmental footprint, you can opt-out of print editions of Iconnect Magazine? Each issue is dispatched in print form to Icon members, but members also have access to the latest and all previous editions via the ‘Resources’ area of the Icon website. To opt-out of print editions, simply log-in to the Icon website (www.icon.org.uk/login.html) and amend your preferences via the ‘Contact Preferences’ tab under the ‘Edit Profile’ section of your ‘My Account’ area.
Webinars, Podcasts and Books
SN Webinars
AIC Conversation with Change Makers - Strategies for Reducing the Energy Consumption of Buildings
February Conversation with Nancie Ravenel (Shelburne Museum) and Patty Silence (Colonial Williamsburg)
March Conversation with Rob Pearce (Amgueddfa Cymru/Museum Wales)
Sustainability Curricula for Cultural Heritage Conservation
Presentation slides - Preliminary research into Education for Sustainability in Cultural Heritage Conservation.pdf
‘Sustainable Museum Lighting’ Q&A with Dr. David Saunders
‘Heritage Management for Climate Action’ presentation by Henrie McGhie from Curating Tomorrow
AIC and ICON joint webinar on COP26
To view this event, you need to register with AIC (which is free). You do not need full membership.
Podcasts and YouTube Channels
- Green Heritage Futures
- Local action for Global Sustainability in Museums
- Green Thinking Climate Change and Heritage
- Conservators Combating Climate Change
- AIC Conservators Combating Climate Change
- The C Word Going Green
- "The Creative Climate Leadership Podcast", Julie's Bicycle
- "Green Tea" AIC Sustainability Committee
- AIC
Books
- Low cost/no cost tips for sustainability in cultural heritage, Lorraine Finch
Free download and hardcopy book packed with tips on how to reduce your own and your studio’s impact on the climate and environment by the Chair of Icon's Environmental Sustainability Network Lorraine Finch ACR.
- The Green Museum: A Primer on Environmental Practice, Sarah Brophy and Elizabeth Wylie
- Sustainable Museums: Strategies for the 21st Century, Rachel Madan
- The Sustainable Museum: How Museums Contribute to the Great Transformation, Christopher J. Garthe
Tools
Net Zero Schemes and Carbon Footprint Calculators
- UN Climate Neutral Now
- Science Based Targets Initiatives
- Take the Jump
- Giki Earth
- Stitch- Calculating Cost of Conservation Materials and Exhibitions
- SME Climate Hub
- Theatre Green Book Sustainable Productions, Building and Operations
- Green Impact NUS
- Complete beginners guide to getting started with cutting your organisation's carbon footprint Bristol Green Capital (generic enough to apply to individuals/SMEs too)
- ICCROM Our Collections Matter
- Going Green Museums of English Rural Life Carbon Calculator
- Digital Carbon Footprint Toolkit
Energy
- ‘Sustainable Museum Lighting’ Q&A with Dr. David Saunders
- Ki Books Energy
- Information on green electricity, how to choose a good green tariff and spot a "bad" one
- A Guide to Global Internet Energy Usage
- Shut the Sash
- Sustainable Management of Collections Environments Getty (re: relaxing standards)
- Thickett, David 2019 “Sustainable Collections Environments.” Estudos De Coservação E Restauro 11: 93–103.
- Clicking Clean: Who is Willing the Race to Build a Green Internet?
Exhibitions and Transport
- Turtlebox
- Rokbox
- Art Gallery Carbon Calculator
- Resource for Sustainable Exhibitions from AAM
- The carbon footprint of museum loans: a pilot study at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
- Sustainable Preservation Practices
- Managing Environments for Collections: The Impact of International Loans on Sustainable Climate Strategies
- Mechanical damage risk assessment tool
- Suffolk’s Green Story
- Curating Tomorrow
- BIZOT Protocols Updated December 2023
- The Design Museum, working to make change
- ICCROM 'Our Collections Matter' Projects
- GCC Packaging
Money
- https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/ - check to see how green your pension scheme is
- https://bank.green/ - check how sustainable your banks is
- https://www.cashmatters.org/ - See how having a cash system is still important
Climate Change and Heritage
- Historic Scotland Climate Guide to Climate Change Change Impacts
- Historic England Climate Change Adaptation
- ICCROM Our Collections Matter
- Historic Environment Forum Heritage Responds
- English Heritage Impact of Climate Change on Historic Interiors
- Climate Change and Insect Pest Damage English Heritage
- Comparison of Environmental Control Strategies for Historic Buildings
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
- Historic England Technical Guidance, particularly retrofit and energy efficiency in historic buildings – not museum specific – but often more relevant
- Arts Green Book - provides guidance for making cultural buildings sustainable
- The National Archives: Plugged In, Powered Up
- CIAMAM
- "Storm Babet's widespread damage and how the National Trust responded"
Communication
- https://climateoutreach.org/
- https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/make-change-happen - Free Open University Course on How to Make Change Matter.
Sustainable Events
Guidelines on how to organise sustainable events:
Organisations
Organisations
- Sustainability in Conservation
Promoting Sustainable Conservation Practice, Green Solvents and a great Resources Page
- Ki Culture
Free books on Energy Saving, Waste and Materials, Social Sustainability as well as providing a Sustainability Consultation Service to Museums and Heritage
- LFCP
Sustainability Books, Tips, Tricks and Consultancy/Training service from Icon's own Environmental Sustainability Network’s Chair Lorraine Finch
- Julie’s Bicycle
Consultancy, training and green Certification Programme- a great place to start if you are looking for help to Green your workplace
- Fit for the Future
A Sustainability Network founded by the National Trust for Arts and Heritage organisations (and beyond) to share knowledge and best practice - they have excellent free talks and seminars, you just need to sign up for free
- Curating Tomorrow
Consultancy and speaker service as well as lots of free resources including how to start climate conversations at your museum and exhibitions on climate change
- Climate Heritage Network
Join a worldwide network for Arts, Museums and Heritage Organisations working together to take action against climate change and communicate the climate crisis
- Museums for Climate Action
An AHRC funded Research and Exhibition project inspiring radical change in Museums to address the climate crisis including a book, toolkit and further resources
- Museums for Future
Sign up to support the climate strikes and take action in your Museum including 10 actions for conservators
- Climate For Culture
Investigates the impact of climate on cultural heritage, particualrly historic buildings and interiors
- Culture Declares
A growing international movement of individuals and cultural organisations declaring a climate and ecological emergency; telling the truth, taking action and seeking justice
- ICCROM Our Collections Matter
A comprehensive toolkit from ICCROM for Museums to take action in all areas of their work
- Historic Environment Forum
High level strategy for the sector including working together on green initiatives
- One Army
Join a group of individuals across the world working on global problems affecting the planet and humanity
- Make It Precious
A combination of people, machines, platforms and knowledge working to create an alternative global recycling system
- Green Art
A project working to achieve safe and effective solutions for the corrective and preventive conservation of Culture Heritage
- Go Green Project
A project developing and promoting preventive and remedial conservation practices based on green principles
- The Climate Coalition
The Uk's largest group of people and organisations dedicated to tackling climate change and restoring nature
- Go Green Project
A European initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices in cultural heritage conservation through education, training, and community engagement
- Sustainability Tool in Cultural Heritage (STitCH)
An online platform offering tools, case studies, and guidance to help cultural heritage professionals implement sustainability strategies in their work
- Gumtree
A UK-based online classifieds platform where users can buy and sell second-hand goods, supporting reuse and reducing waste
- Preloved
A UK marketplace focused on second-hand items, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle by encouraging the reuse of goods
Sustainability and Net Zero Key Resources prepared by the HEF Sustainability & Climate Change Task Group