Environmental sustainability policy statement template
As the subject matter is so broad I have not developed a proper template but rather have several
examples below that you can use to formulate your own policy statement. Please note that your
policy statement must show that your museum is environmentally conscious. It can be broadly
based to show intent as a whole, rather than a tick box list of items.
Both Tyne and Wear and the Royal Museums Greenwich statements are examples of broad based
intent, while the Australian Museum gives some specific examples. Neither is correct, but each suits
their museum’s style and approach. The National Museum Wales have developed both policy and
policy statement in this area. Links to their site are included as well.
Areas/topics you may wish to consider or include are:
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Legal obligations/responsibilities if appropriate (particularly for local authority museums)
Environmental sustainability policy (again for local authority museums if the Council has
such a policy in place already)
Lighting (use of energy efficient bulbs)
Stationery (use of recycled materials and recycling of used materials)
Sourcing local suppliers where applicable
Equipment (using/replacing old equipment with ‘A’-rated energy efficient equipment where
possible)
Assessing current carbon footprint (and ways to offset)
Pollution
Waste disposal
Treatment of historic buildings
Water
Renewables
Staff training
Please remember that your statement should reflect your museum’s resources (i.e. a small,
volunteer-run museum’s statement may be shorter and broader than a large local authority’s). Nor
will you be expected to list out all of the relevant areas given above (regardless of your size). Instead
the statement is a reflection of the ethos of your organisation, when it comes to environmental
sustainability. It can also be used to highlight the small steps you can/do currently take.
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Environmental Policy
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) commitment is to provide a World-class
service that is sustainable and which aims to minimise the environmental impacts of
our operations.
To meet our environmental commitment we will:
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Meet and, where possible, exceed all current and future European and
national environmental legislative and regulatory requirements.
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Adopt best operational practices to reduce environmental impacts of TWAM
activities and policies.
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Measure and take action to reduce the carbon footprint of our activities and
ensure our buildings and services are able to adapt to environmental change.
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Monitor, manage and minimise TWAM’s use of energy and water.
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Minimise the environmental impact of associated travel with our venues and
business
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Minimise the amount of waste produced by TWAM and partners to encourage
greater reuse in recycling.
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Ensure environmental, including climate change, criteria are taken into
account in the procurement of goods and services.
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Consider environmental factors in TWAM decisions and activities including
giving due consideration to environmental issues and energy performance in
the design, refurbishment, and use of our buildings which includes exhibitions
and activities
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Encourage and develop our employees, volunteers, partners and
stakeholders to conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible
manner.
To ensure we meet our commitments, we undertake to periodically monitor and
review our environmental performance and take corrective action where
necessary. This policy will be reviewed annually.
Environmental Sustainability at the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is committed to addressing environmental sustainability and
has developed a vision statement and associated goals to move us in this direction.
Vision and Goals
The Australian Museum is committed to addressing environmental sustainability at
its' College Street site and has adopted the following vision:
to be an environmentally sustainable organisation that contributes to the creation of
a beautiful and sustainable world.
In order to implement this vision the following goals have been developed:
Goal 1: Understand the Australian Museum's use of energy, water and waste
generation and take action to meet and, where possible, exceed targets determined
by the Government
Goal 2: To lead by example with the promotion and demonstration of environmental
sustainability values.
The goals are broader statements of intent and are addressed further in the
Museum's Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, which links to a range of plans
at the Museum including the Corporate Strategic Services Plan.
Environmental Sustainability Achievements
To realise the Australian Museum's vision and goals a number of actions are being
implemented, and to date the following has been achieved:
The introduction of Fairtrade organic coffee in 2008
Replacement of printers and faxes with energy rated multi-function devices
Completion of an energy audit
Carbon offsets to be purchased for all air travel
Installation of water saving devices in public and staff amenities
The Australian Museum is also addressing:
Water usage via a water efficiency audit
Sustainable exhibitions
Sustainable functions and events
The Museum is a registered workplace for the National Ride to Work Day, 14
October 2009, supporting those who choose pedal power!
Royal Museums Greenwich Sustainability Policy Statement
In this statement the term ‘sustainability’ includes the natural, built, economic and social environments
of the National Maritime Museum.
The Museum recognises its sustainability obligations to its staff, visitors, communities and
stakeholders – both locally and globally – and to present and succeeding generations.
The Museum aims to take a leading role in defining best sustainability practice, and will set
its own appropriate and demanding standards where none exist.
The Museum is committed to implementing the requirements of all relevant sustainability
legislation and regulations and, where possible, exceeding any relevant minimum
requirements.
The Museum will manage activities over which it has control and which impact upon its
various ‘environments’ in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
The Museum aims to raise the sustainability awareness of its staff, visitors, communities and
stakeholders by promoting the concept of sustainable development and by openly
recognising the on-going need to move towards a more sustainable future.
The Museum will monitor its use of natural resources, both non-renewable and renewable,
and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness with which they are used, with a view to
minimising environmental impacts.
The Museum will foster and promote research and education in sustainability – for visitors,
within its communities and via conferences, publications and collaborative work.
The Museum will provide appropriate sustainability training and development for its staff, and
will encourage them to apply sound sustainability practices at work, at home and within the
wider community.
The Museum is committed to transparency in, and public access, to the formulation and
implementation of its Sustainability Policy and objectives. The Museum will formulate,
publish, implement and monitor objectives set out in the overall Policy, and will periodically
review their efficiency and promote their continued development.
The Sustainability Policy of the National Maritime Museum will be applicable to all its
activities and across all its sites.
National Museums Wales
Excellent website http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/3201/ comprehensive and more that
required but may give ideas
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/3201/ Environmental statement 2011