Our Climate Commitment

We are setting out our climate commitment as part of our responsibility to act on climate change. As the national development body for the sector, it is critical that we support museums and galleries to make the essential changes required to meet Scotland’s net zero targets.

Scotland’s museums and galleries have an important role to play in our society’s success in reaching net zero and enabling our communities to take positive climate and biodiversity action. Museums and galleries provide a space to connect and learn, engage, educate, and influence people in all corners of Scotland.

We are already aware of incredible work that is taking place across the sector.  Museums and galleries are becoming more sustainable, reducing their carbon footprints, and engaging their communities with nature and the climate crisis. But there is more work to be done. We want to offer support to ensure that all museums can realise their ambitions for climate action.

We will continue to prioritise climate action across our organisation. We are developing our operational policies and practice to reduce our climate emissions, upskill our teams, build partnerships, connect with experts, and create opportunities to advocate for the power of our sector to change Scotland’s climate future.

We conducted a sector-wide survey to understand the views of Scotland’s museums, the actions currently being undertaken, the challenges faced and what more is needed to enable change. This data plays an essential part in how we direct our services and support.

Our actions for 2024/25 to support this climate commitment will focus on the following priorities identified through sector engagement and climate survey responses:

Climate Resources
Identifying and sharing useful information specific to the museum sector

• Build an online bank of resources, case studies, and advice guides for the sector
• Develop and roll out a museum-specific carbon calculator

Training and Guidance
Continuing to offer opportunities to build skills and knowledge

• Deliver Carbon Literacy Training opportunities
• Offer informal and formal training and support from the MGS Climate Team.
• Host Knowledge Exchanges on climate and biodiversity

Grants & Funding
Providing opportunities to fund climate activities

• Fund projects for increasing sustainability, emissions reductions, community engagement and education around climate and nature
• Strengthen the sustainability criteria and guidance within our grants process.

Carbon Management & Reduction
Improving the museum sector’s understanding of how to measure and reduce emissions

• Offer knowledge and practical support around measurement, calculations, efficiencies, and reductions
• Promote the good work organisations do and highlight what works well.

Climate Resources
Identifying and sharing useful information specific to the museum sector

• Build an online bank of resources, case studies, and information for the sector
• Develop and roll out a museum-specific carbon calculator.

Training and Guidance
Continuing to offer opportunities to build skills and knowledge

• Deliver Carbon Literacy Training opportunities
• Host training sessions with Climate Museum UK
• Offer informal and formal training and support from the MGS Climate Team.

Grants & Funding
Providing opportunities to fund climate activities

• Fund projects for emissions reductions, increasing sustainability, community engagement and education
• Strengthen the sustainability criteria within our grants process.

Networks & Partnerships
Strengthening existing relationships and building new and meaningful connections

• Invest in continued sector engagement and museum visits
• Work to strengthen the overlap between the cultural and climate sectors/organisations
• Develop a climate network for Scotland’s museums.

Carbon Management & Reduction
Improving the museum sector’s understanding of how to measure and reduce emissions

• Offer knowledge and practical support around measurement, calculations, efficiencies, and reductions
• Promote the good work organisations do and highlight what works well.

Communications
Championing the sector and advocating for climate action and climate justice

• Increase our digital engagement with climate issues
• Use our platform to advocate for sector action, highlight good practice, and share relevant resources.

We are grateful for the feedback we have received from the sector so far as it has helped inform this climate commitment. As part of our shared climate journey, we will continue to speak with those who work and volunteer in Scotland’s museums and galleries to ensure we provide the right support and guidance. We also look forward to sharing more examples of the great work that is taking place across the sector.