The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain has announced a new sustainability plan that involves measuring the carbon footprint of its indirect emissions.
In addition to calculating the carbon footprint of its direct emissions, the institution has measured the carbon footprint of its indirect emissions, making it the first museum in Spain to take this step.
The Guggenheim Bilbao has worked out the carbon footprint of organising exhibitions, as well as artwork shipping and courier trips. In response to its findings, the museum will take the following actions:
- Prioritise hiring artwork crates rather than making new crates
- Share the transport of artworks with other institutions
- Opt for virtual supervision over courier trips
- Limit the construction of new walls by using elements designed for previous exhibitions
- Share display elements such as pedestals, bases and display cases with local institutions
The Guggenheim Bilbao is also reducing its energy consumption with the installation of solar panels. Between 2015 and 2021, the museum replaced all light fixtures with LED technology.
In addition, the museum has been helping to purify the air in Bilbao through its outdoor advertising campaigns, using a special coating on the communication materials that transform them into active air purifiers.
New sustainability plan
In November 2021, the restoration of Jeff Koons’ ‘Puppy’ was completed. Its watering system was automated and a digital rain gauge was installed in order to optimise the artwork’s water consumption.
Other steps taken by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao include efficient water management, reducing materials and packaging, using recyclable materials, and reducing hazardous waste.
The museum has put together an interdisciplinary team called Gu-Zero who will increase awareness, identify opportunities for improvement, and monitor the sustainability plan.
This year, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao will measure its carbon footprint, including indirect emissions, for 2021.
Recordings of greenloop, blooloop’s conference on sustainability in visitor attractions, will be available to ticket holders until the end of this year.
Images: Guggenheim
