Identifying win-win solutions that are best for collections AND better for the planet
Ki Futures has released the impact report for the ‘Getting Climate Control Under Control’ program – a groundbreaking initiative helping museums adopt smarter, more sustainable environmental practices.
The 18-month pilot, which ran from May 2023 to November 2024 in partnership with the Association of Danish Museums (ODM), demonstrates a new methodology to unlock meaningful climate action across the cultural sector.
Rethinking climate control
Co-created by energy and conservation experts, the program involves close collaboration with museums to investigate and update climate practices, energy usage, and loan agreements. It takes into account each institution’s collection needs, facility capabilities, buildings, and geographic location.
Over 18 months, 10 ODM-member museums examined their energy practices, tested new approaches, and safely adjusted climate settings to increase efficiency and reduce carbon. Many built on existing sustainability work already underway at their institutions.
The report highlights how the program successfully demonstrated that museums have numerous opportunities to save energy – from adjusting climate parameters to changing/fine-tuning facility settings – and that communication and teamwork are key to sustainable action.
“Most Danish museums can save between 10-50% on energy consumption without investments.”
Jakob Nørby, Ki Futures Coach
Key outcomes
- Breaking barriers: by working in a cohort, participants were able to overcome traditional barriers to climate control conversations, such as rigid loan agreements or peer perceptions.
- Win-win solutions: preservation and sustainability are not competing goals but complementary ones – and it is both possible and necessary for museums to align the two.
- Empowering art professionals: by equipping museum professionals with practical tools, data literacy, and global networks and support, the program has laid a foundation for long-term transformation.
- Tangible savings: Most participating museums achieved 10-50% reductions in energy use, saving money and cutting carbon emissions – without the need for additional investments.
- Lasting legacy: The pilot produced 10 detailed case studies and a replicable methodology for museums worldwide.
Museums can save carbon, energy, and money
The report emphasises that there are no “magic numbers” or “one-size-fits-all” approach to climate control. Every museum’s environment is unique, just like its collection, and sustainable climate settings must reflect that. The program’s unique strengths are the context-specific solutions it helps museums identify and implement, and its focus on empowering teams to make confident, evidence-based adjustments.
The results are clear: museums reduced their carbon footprint, energy use, and costs while gaining greater control over their environments and a stronger sense of collective purpose.
Support for sustainable collections care
Would your museum benefit from dedicated support to implement sustainable climate strategies? Visit the Ki Futures website to read the full impact report, learn about the program, or enquire about joining the next cohort.
Articheck is proud to be a core partner of the ‘Getting Climate Control Under Control’ program. Our digital tools help organisations cut their carbon emissions and reduce their environmental impact. Learn more about our sustainability commitment.