Julie's Bicycle: "Museums Environmental Framework"

  Julie's Bicycle, an organisation that promotes the role of cultural and creative actors in adapting to and powering action on climate change, has recently published its Museum's Environmental Framework, released with the support of Arts Council England. The Museums’ Environmental Framework is a new resource building on the environmental practice and leadership of a vital part of the UK’s cultural sector. This framework is the result of a collaboration with the museums sector and aims to both celebrate good practice and inspire more. Indeed, the introduction to the new publication argues that many museums are already reframing environmental action as an opportunity to create more resilient and happier organisations, for them and the communities they serve. At a time when building a sustainable society is more pressing than ever, the unique role of museums as custodians of the past and interpreters of the future has never been more relevant.  Responses have been diverse and creative, reflecting the uniqueness of their buildings and collections. The Museums’ Environmental Framework has been developed for this context and with the good will and expertise of a range of museum representatives. The publication provides:

• an overview of different levels of environmental practice across 12 key themes helping museums to better understand their current environmental practice and inform environmental thinking and action;
• examples of environmental practice demonstrating how museums are adopting environmental practice within their own operations, promoting environmental values and fostering environmental understanding with their audiences and communities;
• a summary of legal, funding and other requirements and standards for museums relating to environmental ambition and practice, from emissions reporting to environmental standards for buildings; and
• an overview of environmental guidance, tools and networks available to help museums in developing and sharing their environmental practice.

The new publication features case studies and insights from key sector organisations including Happy Museum Project; Museum Development Network; Museums Galleries Scotland; Museums, Archives and Libraries Division Welsh Government, and; Northern Ireland Museums Council. The Museums' Environmental Framework developed by Julie's Bicycle can be downloaded for free at https://www.juliesbicycle.com/resource-museums-framework-2017