IWM and Miraikan Lead Museum Carbon Reduction at Green Museums Summit

The Green Museums Summit highlighted carbon reduction strategies from Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. IWM is decarbonizing its estate by replacing heating systems, installing air-source cooling at IWM North, and developing passive-house storage. It aims to eliminate oil- and gas-fired heating, cutting emissions by roughly 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, and explores tidal power for HMS Belfast. Miraikan committed to 100% renewable electricity, reducing its electricity-related emissions from about 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ to near zero. Remaining emissions from Tokyo's district heating will be addressed through policy dialogue and building insulation. Both museums emphasize consumption reduction: IWM aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, while Miraikan replaced a vending machine with one excluding plastic bottles and displaying waste data. Miraikan also studies exhibition material lifecycles and introduced plant-based dishes in its café. IWM integrates climate adaptation into its strategy, assessing risks from extreme weather and flooding. Sustainability is embedded in governance: IWM uses corporate KPIs, a Sustainability Action Group, and a Zero Carbon Club; Miraikan fosters open dialogue. Data-driven monitoring underpins both approaches. The summit showcased museums as catalysts for low-carbon transition.