CCB Magazine

Museums are facing major challenges, including in terms of sustainability. A new certification program now aims to strengthen sustainability in museums - Sina Herrmann, Project Manager for Climate Protection and Sustainability at the German Museums Association, explains what this is all about. 
 

INTERVIEW  Jens Thomas

CCB Magazine: In cooperation with the Rathgen Research Laboratory of the National Museums in Berlin, you are launching a new certification program for museums focusing on sustainability. Who will be certified and according to what criteria? 

Sina Herrmann: The certification program is aimed at all museums in Germany that want to actively promote greater sustainability in their structures, processes and offerings. The program was developed in Berlin. The criteria for this have been developed with a working group of museum experts and are strongly based on those of the Austrian Ecolabel, which is already being used successfully. The aim of the certification process is to introduce a holistic sustainability process in the museum that encompasses ecological, social and economic criteria. 

The certification program is aimed at all museums in Germany that want to actively promote greater sustainability in their structures, processes and offerings. The criteria for this have been developed with a working group of museum experts and are strongly based on those of the Austrian Ecolabel

CCB Magazine: Can you give us an example? What can a museum do in the area of sustainability?

Sina Herrmann: The measures range from the refurbishment of the building and low-waste purchasing to the reduction of traffic when visitors travel to and from the museum. For example, the Braunschweig State Museum has implemented measures in the area of energy-efficient conversion or the commissioning of new post-ventilation concepts. The Martin Gropius Bau in Berlin used more daylight in its “Down to Earth” exhibition in 2020 in order to reduce energy consumption, while others are installing new air conditioning or photovoltaic systems to reduce CO2 emissions, or creating incentives for sustainable travel for their visitors and strengthening the areas of inclusion and accessibility. This is also part of sustainability. In our project “Climate protection and sustainability in museums”, however, we have focused more on ecological sustainability, as this has hardly been discussed in the museum world to date. 

CCB Magazine: How is sustainability defined in your certification process? And how are the criteria defined and checked at the end? 

Sina Herrmann: By sustainability, we mean the interplay of ecological, social and economic criteria, which, as explained, can be very different and varied. In the area of ecology, we have developed a guideline that sets out minimum ecological standards for museums. There are also other working aids that can be used to create greater incentives for implementing our standards. Overall, our aim is to support museums in the introduction of structured sustainability management and in the collection of their consumption data. Ultimately, the aim is to introduce and consolidate sustainable processes in the museum step by step and to know its consumption in order to see which measures have had what effect and where there is still room for improvement. Measures in the areas of education, inclusion and accessibility are also evaluated. The certification itself is then designed as a process: It will be recertified again and again, because sustainability is not a process that ends at some point. The whole process is being developed by a working group of museum experts and museum associations. We also involve external experts from the fields of ecology, social affairs and data collection on a case-by-case basis. In the end, however, the audit will be carried out by external auditors so that the certification is credible and a high standard can be maintained.

The aim is to support museums in the introduction of structured sustainability management. Sustainable processes are to be introduced and consolidated step by step. Measures in the areas of education, inclusion and accessibility are also taken into account

CCB Magazine: What does the process look like that museums have to go through? 

Sina Herrmann: The participating museums first apply via a selection process that takes into account criteria such as the size of the museum, genre, location and previous sustainability measures. During the process, the museums then work with an external consultant to develop a mission statement and an action plan with individual measures to be implemented within a defined period of time. Here we give the museums the freedom to decide for themselves how many resources they want to and can invest in implementation. The process is accompanied by three workshops, peer learning and feedback loops. At the end, we will revise the certification criteria and, based on the experience we have gained during the pilot phase, we will be able to exchange ideas, for example on incentives and support mechanisms. 

CCB Magazine: What does the German Museums Association actually do? How - and since when - has sustainability been anchored in the association's structures? 

Sina Herrmann: As an umbrella organization, the German Museums Association (DMB) promotes the interests of museums and their employees in Germany, from political representation to practical support. Not only do we develop the aforementioned guidelines to support practical work in museums, we also organize a major conference once a year, where we discuss current topics with around 800 participants, or organize regulars' tables for collegial exchange. Sustainability has been a key topic at the DMB since 2019. Based on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, we integrate the various aspects of sustainability, in particular climate protection, high-quality education and the sustainable design of cities and communities, into our work and develop tools for museums to promote democracy, education, tolerance and social understanding.  

CCB Magazine: Now that you mention it: Doesn't this mean that the sustainability approach falls short? The focus is primarily on ecological criteria, as is also the case in your certification process. Shouldn't aspects that promote democracy also be given greater consideration now that the AfD is on a high in Germany and autocracies are gaining ground around the world?

Sina Herrmann: That is a very important point. After all, it can no longer be taken for granted that we live in a democracy - which is why the concept of sustainability needs to be broadened, and museums could play a mediating role: This is where the exchange and discourse takes place - and an incredible amount is already happening. The Emsland Moor Museum, for example, sees itself specifically as a “place of learning” and designs programs for school classes, families and adults with the help of trained museum educators. It is also important to know that museums enjoy a high level of trust in society today, as a recent study by the Institute for Museum Research revealed. According to the study, museums are even trusted more than science. This shows that Museums are not just places of encounter. They also have a social responsibility.  

Museums enjoy a high level of trust in society today. According to a study, museums are even trusted more than science. This shows that Museums are not just places of encounter. They also have a role to play in society

CCB Magazine: Many feel that sustainability is not just a social challenge, but an excessive demand - there are currently new requirements and regulations everywhere, and it is good manners to set sustainable standards. Is sustainability becoming a burden for many companies?

Sina Herrmann: I wouldn't say that, but the multitude of sustainability requirements can certainly be an overload for many. That's why our certification program also focuses on pragmatic solutions that can be implemented with the available resources within the institution: Sustainability must not just be a social requirement. It must not lead to excessive demands and overload for those involved. This is why a discussion about capacities and limits is so important. The aim must be to find a new balance between ambitious goals and realistic implementation options - and it is precisely this area of tension that our certification is aimed at.

CCB Magazine: Where do you want to go with your certification program in the long term? And what else are you planning in the area of sustainability?  

Sina Herrmann: In the long term, the certification program is intended to establish sustainable action in museums as a standard. The aim is for museums not only to become pioneers in sustainability, but also to act as multipliers for society within society. In addition to the certification program, we are planning further projects such as in-depth training courses and cooperation with international partners. The aim must be to achieve a broad impact and position culture as a role model in the sustainability movement.