How National Galleries of Scotland aced the sustainability transition
by: Joanna Moorhead

The Edinburgh institution is leading the way for cultural institutions to reduce their environmental impact with a deeply-embedded, long-term strategy

In a global study by the University of Lausanne, the National Galleries of Scotland ranked second – behind only the Sydney Opera House – for sustainability among 206 cultural institutions. Despite the accolade, the 166-year-old Edinburgh institution chose not to publicise the result, focusing instead on understanding its success. The study assessed both environmental and social sustainability, including carbon emissions, biodiversity, inclusion, and education. Charlotte Gardiner, the Galleries’ sustainability officer, emphasises a collective approach: sustainability must be embedded across the organisation, not siloed. Staff contribute voluntarily, focusing on behaviour change, such as travel habits and waste reduction. Since 2009, the Galleries have tracked carbon use, with goals including net-zero emissions, more sustainable conservation, and public engagement. Initiatives like the 2024 Before and After Coal exhibition illustrate this outreach. Future developments include The Art Works, a publicly accessible, low-emission storage and conservation centre designed to Passive House standards by John McAslan + Partners, part of a regeneration project in Edinburgh. Gardiner stresses ongoing learning and adaptability. Co-author of the Lausanne report, Martin Müller, praises the Galleries’ long-term, organisation-wide commitment, noting that many institutions lack lasting integration of sustainability. He concludes, “The sustainability transition is a marathon, not a sprint” – a sentiment clearly reflected in the Galleries’ comprehensive and evolving strategy.

For the full The Art Newspaper article by Joanna Moorhead, click here

image: © National Galleries of Scotland