Action on sustainability must speak louder than words if museums and attractions are to play their part in a greener future

There are few (if any) cultural organisations in the world today that would argue with the need to make sustainability a top priority for the future. And with the world finally beginning to look beyond short-term survival and the immediate challenges inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the “S” word must once again be promoted back to the top of institutions’ to-do list. But while paying lip service to sustainability is relatively easy, putting in the hard yards to drive institutional change and progress is something altogether more difficult.

Fortunately, there are a number of museums and attractions leading by example; putting their money where their environmental credentials are in order to begin to move the needle on this critical issue. From the recyclable exhibition elements employed at Paris Musées to the transport and commuter initiatives undertaken by the Rijksmuseum (with zero on-site parking and low or zero-emission transportation encouraged) to the efforts made at the Empire State Building to become carbon neutral by 2030 (emissions have already been slashed by 54%), there is genuine cause for optimism.

And thanks to the team at Tiqets, museums and attractions don’t need to begin their own sustainability journey with a blank sheet of paper. In their new e-book 10 Sustainability Tips to Use at Your Museum or Attraction Today, the innovative ticketing platform offers a range of practical and effective strategies that can make institutions more environmentally sustainable immediately.

Drawing on resident experts from five museums and attractions that are setting and achieving ambitious sustainability goals, this e-book is a valuable read for anyone in the sector. As is explained in the e-book, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability also goes beyond an institution’s own carbon footprint and cost-saving initiatives:

“As culture-creators and history-makers, museums can inspire a huge shift to a sustainability-minded world. Your venue is in a position to make – and motivate – real change.”

That leading-by-example ethos is something we will need more organisations to demonstrate if countries around the globe are to meet the targets set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

On the release of this latest e-book, Rachel Grate, Head of Brand Marketing from Tiqets says,

“It is not surprising that museums and attractions have had to put many of their strategies and plans for sustainability on hold due to the pandemic. But if we are to look for a silver lining it might just be that closures and restrictions have forced organisations and institutions to adopt leaner working methods, change commuting habits, go digital and address waste issues head on.

“As new strategies and plans are developed for the future, we hope that some of the advice and guidance contained in this e-book will help to inform those sustainability targets and demonstrate that they are achievable.”

To download 10 Sustainability Tips to Use at Your Museum or Attraction Today, click here.