Sustainable cultural and heritage management refers to the adoption of the three sustainability pillars (economic, social and environmental) in cultural heritage management practices. Within this context, museums can play a significant role in promoting sustainable practice, thus enhancing local development.

Since 2018, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has a designated Working Group on Sustainability (WGS) with the aim to consider how to mainstream sustainability, both within ICOM and for its individual and institutional members.

In its 34th General Assembly, held in 2019 in Kyoto (Japan), ICOM adopted two important resolutions regarding sustainability: 1) On sustainability and the implementation of Agenda 2030, Transforming our World; and 2) Museums, Communities and Sustainability: https://icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Resolutions_2019_EN.pdf

Another important milestone in this field is the joint work done between ICOM and OECED in delivering a roadmap for local governments, communities and museums on how to define together a local development agenda that promotes a more sustainable future by mobilising the transformative power of culture: https://icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/OECD-ICOM-GUIDE-MUSEUMS.pdf

Link: https://icom.museum/en/our-actions/museums-society/sustainability-and-local-development/