Sarah Sutton is CEO of Environment and Culture Partners, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening and broadening the environmental leadership of the cultural sector. Sutton co-founded the company in 2021 with Stephanie Shapiro.
For over 30 years, Sutton has led the US museum sector in sustainability and climate action, leading the field as a writer, consultant, presenter, and expert, and working to make a difference not only for museums but for the world as we face the climate crisis. She is the co-author of The Green Museum: A Primer on Environmental Practice, published in 2008, and was also a founding board member of AAM’s professional network dedicated to sustainability.
In response to Donald Trump withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, Sutton launched #MuseumsForParis, allowing people from across the cultural sector to showcase how they were participating in climate action. She then went on to create and lead the cultural sector as part of We Are Still In, a 3,900+ coalition of non-federal US actors doing climate work. This work is now carried on as American Is All In, where she remains the sector lead.
Sutton was recognised with the AAM Environment and Climate Network’s first Individual Impact Award in 2019. She was the plenary speaker for the International Council of Museums and represented the US Cultural Sector’s climate work at COP25. Sutton was one of 100 global representatives invited to advise ICOMOS-IPCC-UNESCO on the role of cultural heritage in IPCC Assessments, and also represented the US cultural sector at COP26.
“What is most compelling is Sarah’s genuine dedication to improving the world in light of a changing climate,” said one nominator. “She does so not only to benefit cultural institutions (eg. become more energy efficient) but also to use the assets of cultural institutions (trusted mission-forward institutions) to educate the public about the importance of climate action. Sarah’s work is making a difference and she will continue to be a leader, inspiration, partner, and advocate for museums and the world.”