In response to the constant threat of climate change, organisations worldwide are increasingly taking action to address this pressing issue, striving to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable sector. Organisations like museums, with their cultural significance and potential for education, have a unique and critical role to play in promoting sustainability. Recognising this, ReReeti  launched an initiative called Indian Museums Against Climate Change (IMACC) in March 2022. It was born through our engagement with the international movement of Culture Declares Emergency (CDE), and today, IMACC functions as the Indian International hub of CDE.

A workshop with the Indian member museums and Culture Declares Emergency

As some of you readers know, the primary goals established for IMACC in its pilot year were to create a network of museums dedicated to combating climate change, to make a tangible difference through knowledge sharing, and to create awareness on how museums can operate as climate-conscious institutions. In order to uphold this vision, ReReeti, along with Urban Morph, an organisation that provides strategic inputs in the waste management sector, has developed a Handbook, ‘Sustainability Management: A practical guide for Museums in India’, containing information specifically with regard to sustainability with vendors for exhibitions, events and regular operations within a museum in India. With support from CDE this year, ReReeti will be actively revolutionising the museum sector into one that is sustainable and environmentally conscious.

What does sustainability really mean for museums in India?

A sustainable museum in India can become a platform to showcase its diverse heritage and a space that allows visitors to learn about sustainable ways to preserve this richness. In addition, a sustainable museum can promote responsible tourism, one that minimises harm to the environment and communities while maximising economic benefits. Some of the key steps towards becoming a sustainable museum are adopting ethical methods of running internal operations, prioritising eco-friendly practices, increasing the use of renewable energy, reducing water usage, and having an efficient waste management system. Practising sustainability also involves sourcing the right products in a manner that considers their environmental, social, and economic impact. In context to the Indian sector, the above mentioned handbook provides a comprehensive guide to implementing sustainability, tailored specifically to the needs and challenges faced by museums in India.

Here are some of the key highlights from the handbook:

1. Raising Awareness: The handbook emphasises the importance of creating awareness among museum staff and stakeholders about procuring sustainable practices. It provides insights into the environmental and social impacts of procurement decisions, urging museums to consider factors such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the use of eco-friendly materials.
2. Vendor Engagement: The handbook outlines strategies for museums to engage with vendors and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices. It offers guidance on evaluating and selecting vendors based on their sustainability credentials, advocating for the support of local artisans and craftsmen, and fostering long-term partnerships that prioritise sustainable production and delivery.
3. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: The handbook encourages museums to participate in collective initiatives, such as group procurement to leverage their collective influence and create demand for sustainable products and services. By sharing best practices and lessons learned, museums can inspire one another to implement sustainable procurement strategies effectively.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: This handbook stresses the need for museums to monitor and evaluate their procurement practices regularly. It provides guidelines for setting measurable sustainability goals, tracking progress, and reporting on achievements. This approach enables museums to continuously improve their performance and demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.

This handbook and the larger IMACC vision have the potential to create a ripple effect, inspiring museums across India to embrace sustainability as a core value. Soon, museums will become powerful agents of change, influencing vendors, audiences, and the wider community to embrace socially responsible practices and actively contribute to a more resilient planet.

Having worked closely on the IMACC pilot year, as a cultural professional, I have been amazed by the transformative power of museums, and their capacity to instill values essential for the advancement of the larger society. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that our partner museums already had powerful systems in place for waste segregation, management and treatment. Some of them dedicated themselves to fostering the growth of the surrounding greenery, and were already in the process of making their spaces plastic-free and zero-waste zones.

Here’s what Kuldeep Kothari, Secretary, Arna Jharna Desert Museum, one of our partner museums, had to say about our work – “Working with IMACC has made us more aware of our role and responsibility towards fighting climate change. Hence, this year when we curated our new exhibition on the millets of Rajasthan, we used resources available in the museum itself. For example, we have extensively used our Paper Mache and Pottery Exhibition objects in the design of the Millet Exhibition.”

With the launch of this handbook in July/August 2023, I am confident that we will be able to establish a strong network of partner museums, all eager to make progressive operational and foundational changes that align with sustainable practices. Together, we can drive positive impact, fostering a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.

The launch of the handbook will be an online event that will be followed by ReReeti hosting an online panel discussion featuring esteemed leaders from the International and Indian sustainability sectors. The panel will be an insightful conversation, with exchange of ideas and collaborations, fueling the momentum for sustainable development in the museum sector and beyond.

For further information on the launch event, keep an eye out on our website and social media platforms.

Author Bio

Shalaka Redkar is a Hindustani music vocalist and a performing artist. She stepped into the arts and cultural sector in 2016 curious about the coming together of disciplines, languages, mediums, and communities. Last year, she joined ReReeti as the Programmes & Operations Manager to grow in and contribute to the museum and heritage sector.