Green Tourism Gold for Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums
We welcome the news that all four venues at Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums (AAGM) have been awarded Green Tourism Gold accreditation.
Aberdeen Art Gallery was awarded Gold status for the second year in a row, the highest possible award for Green Tourism. Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Provost Skene’s House and the Treasure Hub were added to the list of Gold-standard venues, building on their previous success of receiving Silver awards last year.
Lucy Neville, MGS Museum Development Manager – Climate and Nature, said: “I’m so pleased that AAGM have received this recognition for their work to tackle the climate crisis. Their inspiring efforts highlight the incredible potential that museums and galleries have to make a positive difference within their communities.”
Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of the Council, said, “The recent Gold awards from Green Tourism highlight the Council’s long-term commitment to sustainability, ranging from support for local communities to improving biodiversity in our green spaces. The Archives, Gallery & Museums team have developed a wonderful programme of innovative green initiatives and I commend their continued work in this area.”
David Jackson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said, “Visitors are increasingly looking to make sustainable choices, so this is not only worthy recognition of AAGM’s responsible practices but also a great way of responding to this consumer trend which, in turn, helps support Scotland’s vision of being the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destination in the world.”
The theme of sustainability also features in current exhibitions. New displays at the Maritime Museum invite visitors to consider green energy usage at home, while the Works on Paper: Art and Energy at the Art Gallery explores how artists have engaged creatively with energy infrastructure over the past 50 years.
Green Tourism is a globally recognised sustainability awards provider, supporting organisations to embed responsible and environmentally friendly practices from ethical buying to reducing energy use.
AAGM’s Climate Action initiatives include:
- reducing energy consumption through installation of LED lighting, low-flush toilets and water-saving taps
- installing a dual composter to help reduce food waste produced by team members
- protecting our pollinators and wildlife by increasing green space and installing planters on Aberdeen Art Gallery’s West Terrace
- a redesigned What’s On brochure which reduces paper usage by 68%
- introducing recycled and plastic-free stock in the Maritime Museum and Art Gallery shops
- the introduction of weekly waste tracking, with the aim to reduce waste further in the coming year
- reinstating bee hives at Aberdeen Treasure Hub
- embedding environmental awareness within the team through knowledge sharing and staff training
Further information
