Resources

AIC Conversation with Change Makers - Strategies for Reducing the Energy Consumption of Buildings

February 2023 Conversation with with Nancie Ravenel (Shelburne Museum) and Patty Silence (Colonial Williamsburg)

March 2023 Conversation with Rob Pearce (Amgueddfa Cymru/Museum Wales)

Sustainability Curricula for Cultural Heritage Conservation (2022)

Presentation slides - Preliminary research into Education for Sustainability in Cultural Heritage Conservation.pdf

‘Passive is Sustainable’ presentation by Chris Woods (PowerPoint Slides)

16 Sep 2021

'Passive is Sustainable' presentation by Chris Woods

An exploration of why passive climates work and why HVAC climate control does not

Presentation slides

‘Sustainable Museum Lighting’ Q&A with Dr. David Saunders

09 Feb 2021

Sustainable Museum Lighting Q&A

How current and new lighting and control technologies and practices can be assessed in relation to a number of different measures of sustainability

Article

‘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.

• 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

• 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

Guidelines on how to write your organisation's Climate Action Plan:

• LFCP 

• The Green Librarian Growth Symphony in Sustainable Major: https://eblida.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/green_librarian_06-online.pdf

• Heat Adaptation Guide for Arts and Cultural Venues, written by Shade the UK. https://juliesbicycle.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Heat_Adaptation_Guide_for_AC_Venues_Final-1-compressed-1.pdf

• 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 

Greenpeace Eco Anxiety 

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/eco-anxietyhow-to-find-radical-hope-in-a-climate-crisis/

Mind Climate Change and Mental Health

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/climate-change-and-mental-health/

Climate Psychology Alliance 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/climate-psychology-alliance-29918075735

Climate Mental Health Network: All About Climate Grief - All About Climate Grief: What to Know and What To Do About It

Climate Psychology Alliance - Climate Psychology Alliance

Eco Anxious Stories - Eco Anxious Stories

Young Minds - How To Cope With Climate Anxiety

Ecopsychepedia - climate anxiety

Unthinkable Earth - climate change and mental health resource hub 

• ‘Sustainable Museum Lighting’ Q&A with Dr. David Saunders

09 Feb 2021

Sustainable Museum Lighting Q&A

How current and new lighting and control technologies and practices can be assessed in relation to a number of different measures of sustainability

Article

• 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)

• University of Brighton: HVAC shutdown group - https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/hvac/websites/

• Climate London: Climate Cost Guide - https://climatelondon.org/projects/climate-costs-toolkit/

• Conserv: Longterm HVAC failure guide and energy strategies: https://learn.conserv.io/services-library

• Simpson, C.H 2026. Air conditioning and the future electricity system in Great Britain. Energy Research & Social Science Volume 136, article 104727: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629626001982

• 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?
• HVAC Shutdown Group

• 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 
• The Exhibitions Group - Rethinking Touring Exhibitions Toolkit

• Ki books Waste & Materials
• Fashion Revolution - everything you need to know about the textile industry, and how to fight Fast Fashion in your own life 
• LFCP Low cost/no cost tips for sustainability in cultural heritage  
• Sustainable Tools in Cultural Heritage (STiC)
• AIC

• Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes
• Ki books Waste & Materials
• AIC 
• Recycling Tyvek
• Museum Freecycle
• UK Institutions Recycling Platform
• US Museum Recycling Platform 
• US Recycling Platform
• National Museum Scotland: Tips for sustainable collections care -  https://www.nms.ac.uk/our-impact/national-work/training-and-guidance-for-museums/tips-for-sustainable-collections-care

• Museums & Disaster Risk Reduction

• 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

• Change Agents UK Kickstart Scheme 
• Green Funders
• Museum Development East Midlands 
• Julie’s Bicycle
• LFCP
• National Lottery Heritage Funds

• 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"

• Ki Books Social Sustainability 
• 'Conservators for a sustainable future', Henry HcGhie
• Museums & the Sustainable Development Goals
• ICCROM Our Collections Matter
• Museums & Human Rights
• Museum Collections & Biodiversity Conservation

• https://climateoutreach.org/ 
• https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/make-change-happen - Free Open University Course on How to Make Change Matter.

Guidelines on how to organise sustainable events:

• Manchester City Council
• UNDP

• LFCP

• Cutlist Optimiser 

• Scottish AI Alliance - Guidance for Scottish AI to be trustworthy, ethical and inclusive
• Living with AI - AI explained in simples ways and with a useful course
• Scottish AI Playbook - Helping organisations implement and navigate AI responsibly and effectively

• 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
  A  prepared by the HEF Sustainability & Climate Change Task Group 

• Climate Tool Kit 
  Find organisations that have achieved various important milestones and see resources from those organisations to help you plan your own initiatives