Not only are we groaning under the heatwave, but also museums and the works of art entrusted to them. Due to climate change, we are having to deal with extreme heat more and more frequently, and museums are looking for ways and strategies to prepare themselves. What measures are they taking? How can exhibition venues become climate-resilient and sustainable?
Climate change also poses fundamental challenges for cultural institutions worldwide. More and more museums are therefore developing strategies to make their operations, collections and exhibitions sustainable. This is not just about reducing CO₂ emissions, but also about institutional resilience, social responsibility and setting an international example. The term “sustainability in museums” encompasses far more than just technical measures – it requires a rethink of the entire cultural sector.
According to a study by the International Council of Museums (ICOM, 2024), air conditioning accounts for up to 70 percent of energy consumption in many museums. The Royal Academy of Arts in London has therefore installed a new system with adaptive airflow that saves CO₂ without compromising conservation standards. As the “Museum Sustainability Alliance” emphasizes, museums as social actors must also lead the way in ecological action – and sensitize visitors and partners to sustainable behavior. Sustainability in museums means combining environmental awareness with cultural responsibility.
A key area of activity is exhibition construction in particular. More and more museums are relying on modular wall systems, regional materials and multiple use. The Weltmuseum Wien, for example, uses recyclable plinths and works with loans from neighbouring countries to minimize transport routes. Digital exhibitions and augmented reality are also considered CO₂-saving alternatives. As the German Museums Association Journal 2025 writes, “in future, sustainability must be just as much a part of curatorial planning as storytelling”. Sustainability in museums will thus become an integral part of every exhibition.
Periods of heat, flooding and air pollution are increasingly endangering depots and collections. Museums are responding to this with adapted climate corridors, low-pollutant packaging and sensor-controlled early warning systems. Organic materials such as textiles, leather and wood are particularly at risk. For this reason, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam has installed a monitoring system that detects microscopic climate changes and controls automatic ventilation impulses. Sustainability in museums here also means preventive conservation under changing environmental conditions.
Sustainability in museums is not only technical, but also social. This includes fair working conditions, diversity, barrier-free offers and inclusive educational programs. Many museums – such as the Humboldt Forum in Berlin – are now integrating sustainability into their mission statement. The involvement of local communities, transparent communication processes and participatory projects are all part of a holistic sustainability concept. Sustainability in museums thus not only promotes environmental protection, but also strengthens social interaction.
The path to genuine sustainability is complex for museums – but unavoidable. It opens up new scope for action for conservators, exhibition makers and collection managers, but also requires interdisciplinary cooperation and continuous training. If you want to do sustainable cultural work, you have to consider ecological, economic and social aspects together. Museum practice is facing a change that is more profound than any modernization of recent decades. Sustainability in museums is thus becoming the key to climate-resilient and future-proof exhibition venues.
Read more:What measures is the Folkwang Museum in Essen taking to become a green museum?
