Sustainability

We are here to enrich the understanding and appreciation of London and all its people – past, present and future. In doing this, we aspire to be a force for good in London, as London must be for the world.

Our 2035 net-zero target

We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2035 in line with the principles of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard. This includes:

  • a near-term, science-based target of a reduction in Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions of 42% by 2030 from the baseline year of 2022/23. This aligns with pathways to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C
  • a long-term, science-based target to reduce scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions by at least 90% by 2035
  • prioritisation of direct emissions reductions with offsetting of remaining emissions from the long-term target year of 2035. Once we have reduced emissions to a residual level, we will neutralise these emissions through the purchase of high-quality carbon removal offsets via an established carbon offset strategy

Policy commitments

To transform ourselves for a better world, we will:

  1. reach more people than ever before by including sustainability in conversations with our audiences, partners, staff and suppliers
  2. apply stretch thinking by looking regularly at our operations to make them the best that they can be
  3. take good care of the resources we use and not be wasteful
  4. continue to put on a great show by improving our buildings and caring for our collections
  5. build our new future by setting the highest standards for the new museum project

Implementation

A four-phase, 10-year programme provides our framework for delivery:

PHASE I (2024–2025) consisted of carbon baselining and the development of our net-zero target and implementation action plan. This is now complete.

We are currently at PHASE II (2025–2027) and are focused on delivering our Implementation Action Plan up to 2027.

PHASE III (2027–2030) will continue to deliver projects and programmes at pace with a new and more ambitious action plan.

We will then commit to a midpoint in our 2030 STRATEGIC REVIEW which will take stock of progress and outline lessons learnt for the final delivery in PHASE IV (2030–2035).

Each year, we will monitor and report our progress against our 2035 net-zero target, mapping out our current performance and projected emissions trajectory.

Review and approval

The policy will be reviewed at a maximum of every four years and approved by the museum’s Executive Board. Subject to need, the policy may be reviewed at any time.