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THORVALDSEN’S MUSEUM IS NOW A GREEN ATTRACTION
Copenhagen Museum, Thorvaldsen’s Museum, and Nikolaj Kunsthal have received the coveted environmental certification Green Attraction.
Green Attraction is an eco-labelling scheme for Danish attractions, including museums and art centres. To be certified as a Green Attraction, institutions must actively work to reduce their CO₂ emissions and meet specific standards in areas such as water and energy consumption, and waste sorting. In addition, the certification places demands on environmental management, staff engagement, procurement policies, and offerings in museum cafés and shops. For museums specifically, there are additional requirements related to exhibitions, storage, and courier tasks.
The three Copenhagen institutions are part of the Art & History museum cluster under the City of Copenhagen’s Culture and Leisure Administration. Through an ambitious environmental and procurement policy, the city aims to reduce the energy and resource consumption of its municipal institutions.
“Sustainability has been a key focus for us in 2024. Green Attraction is a welcome recognition of the work we’ve done – but even more importantly, a vital stepping stone for our continued transition towards greener practices. It has been an eye-opening process for both management and staff, and our commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with certification,” says Marius Hansteen, Museum Director of Art & History.
At the same time the Green Attraction initiative began, Art & History launched a nationwide project titled Circular Exhibition Practices, which offers concrete solutions for how the exhibition sector can incorporate circular systems and design principles into daily curatorial work. The insights gained from this project will be widely shared within the museum sector next year in collaboration with the Green Academy for Museums.
Additionally, Nikolaj Kunsthal has worked with the Danish Arts Foundation on developing a Danish version of the Creative Green Tools, and Copenhagen Museum is participating in a major project focused on developing climate-neutral museum storage facilities. It also contributed to the much-talked-about project CopenPay, which nudges the city’s tourists toward more sustainable behaviour.
Facts about Green Attraction
Green Attraction is an eco-labelling scheme for Danish attractions, including museums and art centres. To be certified as a Green Attraction, institutions must actively work to reduce their CO₂ emissions and meet specific standards in areas such as water and energy consumption, and waste sorting. In addition, the certification places demands on environmental management, staff engagement, procurement policies, and offerings in museum cafés and shops. For museums specifically, there are additional requirements related to exhibitions, storage, and courier tasks.
The three Copenhagen institutions are part of the Art & History museum cluster under the City of Copenhagen’s Culture and Leisure Administration. Through an ambitious environmental and procurement policy, the city aims to reduce the energy and resource consumption of its municipal institutions.
“Sustainability has been a key focus for us in 2024. Green Attraction is a welcome recognition of the work we’ve done – but even more importantly, a vital stepping stone for our continued transition towards greener practices. It has been an eye-opening process for both management and staff, and our commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with certification,” says Marius Hansteen, Museum Director of Art & History.
At the same time the Green Attraction initiative began, Art & History launched a nationwide project titled Circular Exhibition Practices, which offers concrete solutions for how the exhibition sector can incorporate circular systems and design principles into daily curatorial work. The insights gained from this project will be widely shared within the museum sector next year in collaboration with the Green Academy for Museums.
Additionally, Nikolaj Kunsthal has worked with the Danish Arts Foundation on developing a Danish version of the Creative Green Tools, and Copenhagen Museum is participating in a major project focused on developing climate-neutral museum storage facilities. It also contributed to the much-talked-about project CopenPay, which nudges the city’s tourists toward more sustainable behaviour.
Facts about Green Attraction
- Green Attraction was established in collaboration with the Danish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (DAZA), the Organisation of Danish Museums (ODM), the Association of Danish Amusement Parks (FFD), Science Centres (VPAC), and HORESTA.
- HORESTA launched Green Attraction in 2022 as a certification specifically for attractions.
- Green Attraction is awarded to attractions making an extra effort to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Certified attractions must meet a wide range of criteria related to eco-friendly operations.
- A Green Attraction-certified site reduces the use of chemicals, lowers energy and water consumption, and ensures clear and effective waste sorting.
- Certified attractions must document compliance with all criteria, undergo an initial inspection, and are regularly monitored with follow-up visits.