North American Museums Rethink Climate Control as Energy Bills and Carbon Footprints Mount
Long-standing climate regulations for museums, rooted in 1970s studies, are facing scrutiny in North America amid escalating energy expenses and environmental issues. The initial benchmarks of plus or minus 2°C and 5% relative humidity are now considered inadequate for varying climates. In 2015, the Bizot group launched the Bizot Green Protocol, which was revised in 2023 to incorporate more flexible strategies. In March, five institutions in Los Angeles, including the Getty and LACMA, pledged their support for this protocol. Additionally, Southwick's initiative promotes energy efficiency, while the Art Bridges Foundation is revising loan agreements for 25 museums. Southwick cautions that extreme weather poses risks to collections, referencing the 2018 fire at the National Museum of Brazil.
Key facts
- 1970s London-based climate guidelines of plus or minus 2°C and plus or minus 5% humidity became standard for museums worldwide.
- The Bizot group issued the Bizot Green Protocol in 2015 and updated it in 2023 to promote adaptive, science-backed approaches.
- HVAC systems consume 60%-70% of a museum building's energy, driving high bills and carbon footprints.
- In March, five Los Angeles institutions committed to adopt the Bizot Green Protocol collectively.
- The Portland Museum of Art achieved around 9.5% energy savings after implementing updated Bizot ranges.
- The Art Bridges Foundation updated loan agreements for 25 museums, with 30 more to participate next year.
- Environment and Culture Partners launched the Min/Max tool this summer to help institutions assess energy and carbon impacts.
- The National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro was largely destroyed in 2018 by a fire ignited by an overheated HVAC system.
Entities
Artists
- Caitlin Southwick
- Debra Scacco
- Laura Lupton
- Gretchen Dietrich
- Sarah Sutton
- Al Carver-Kubik
- Melissa Maltby
- Carly Wolowich
- Antonia Guidotti
- Chief Sweet Grass
Institutions
- Bizot group
- Ki Culture
- Getty
- Hammer Museum
- Hauser & Wirth
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- PST Art
- Art & Science Collide
- Portland Museum of Art
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Art Bridges Foundation
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts
- Environment and Culture Partners
- National Museum of Brazil
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Los Angeles
- United States
- California
- Los Angeles County
- Maine
- Portland
- Toronto
- Canada
- Ontario
- Arkansas
- Utah
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- Southern California
- Europe