Cultural and heritage organisations are uniquely positioned to lead on sustainability. You are custodians of history and community, trusted voices in public discourse, and creative problem-solvers by nature. As societal expectations evolve, so too does your role in modelling responsible, purpose-led action.
Simon Catterick, CEO of mission: net zero, takes a look at what this really means for cultural organisations, why it matters and how you can get started.
Sustainability has shifted from aspiration to obligation. Funders, visitors, employees and communities increasingly expect cultural organisations to demonstrate tangible progress on environmental and social goals. In the near future, the EU Green Claims Directive will legally require all environmental claims to be independently verified — a clear warning to steer away from greenwashing and towards meaningful accountability.
Meeting this demand requires more than policy statements. It calls for action rooted in evidence and aligned with emerging standards. Structured tools such as Net Zero Roadmaps, carbon reduction plans, ESG dashboards and eco-certifications (like Green Tourism, Green Meetings, Greengage, ISO 14001, and B Corp) offer credible pathways forward.
Why Does It Matter Now?
- It helps you stay ahead of tightening regulations
- It strengthens funding bids and corporate partnerships
- It can cut running costs and improve operational efficiency
- It enhances brand value with audiences and communities
- It helps you attract and retain purpose-led employees
- It unlocks opportunities to generate new income through low-carbon events and services
For many organisations, especially smaller teams, this can feel daunting. But the path forward doesn’t need to be complex — it needs to be strategic and tailored to your organisation’s mission and capacity.
Three Practical Steps to Get Started
- Start where you are. Perfect data isn’t a prerequisite. Begin by measuring what you can and use that to shape your roadmap.
- Choose a credible framework. Third-party certifications can help prioritise actions and demonstrate impact.
- Involve your people. Whether it’s trustees, front-line staff, or volunteers — engaging your team builds long-term commitment.
Cultural organisations are already leading the way in telling stories that matter. Now is the time to ensure that your operational story reflects the values you present to the world.
Let’s turn purpose into measurable impact — and make sustainability part of the cultural legacy.
About Us
Mission: net zero is a consultancy helping organisations in the cultural, tourism and heritage sectors to build practical, accredited ESG and Net Zero strategies. Contact the team to discover more.
We are currently offering Cultural Enterprises members a free 30 minute discovery call, as well as discounted Net Zero packages with access to tools and templates. Find out more
