WORK IN PROGRESS DEFINITION
HOLISTIC DEFINITION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION
Conservation has a uniquely positive and powerful role to play in shaping a sustainable future: it preserves cultural heritage for current and future generations and increases economic and societal resilience. Cultural Heritage is endangered because of climate change and environmental destruction. Assessing and adapting professional practices to help combat these ultimate ‘agents of deterioration’ is therefore, in itself, cultural heritage conservation. A green conservation approach prioritises the environment and human health through holistic, heritage conservation decision-making. Aligned with conservation ethics and values it allows for future developments in the conservation field, and considers the entirety of consequences before, during and after interventions. Cultural heritage professionals should actively advocate adopting a green conservation approach, with support in accordance with the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability.
GREEN CONSERVATION
'Green conservation’ is not harmful to the environment or to the conservator. It aligns with the circular economy, is carbon neutral, zero-waste, accessible, and available. Green conservation is an ideal which we strive for through greener conservation, which takes all these aspects into consideration in line with professional guidelines, and current and continuing research. Greener conservation practices encompass the decisions made within the context of collection management, any preventive measure or treatment, the materials used, the frequency of treatment and long-term impacts. Greener conservation reinforces and furthers the positive role of conservation in the sustainability of our culture.
GREEN PARAMETERS
Key factors for green conservation grouped into four impact areas
Hazard impacts on human and environment
- G1 Toxicity and hazard metrics for environment
Based on information and data relating to the toxicity and chemical hazards/risks of a particular material/product for the environment when used within the specific approach/treatment, as well as the toxicity and hazards for the environment considering the entire life cycle of the material/product.
- G2 Toxicity and hazard metrics for human user
Based on information and data relating to the toxicity and chemical hazards/risks of a particular material/product for the human user within the specific approach/treatment, as well as the toxicity and hazards for humans when considering the entire life cycle of the material/product.
Impacts on climate change
- G3 Energy – Climate control impacts
- G4 Energy – Consumption in approach/application for treatment
- G5 Energy - Conservation/treatment-associated materials/products to be used
Impacts on resources
- G6 Availability – water use & resource depletion
- G7 Availability - biodiversity impacts
- G8 Waste
- G9 Material/product selection and application method
- G10 Number of applications/quantities
- G11 Longevity of result
- S12 Accessibility – availability of used materials/products and transport
- S13 Quality of result
- S14 Accessibility – Ease of use and time
OUR APPROACH
HOW ARE WE DEFINING GREEN/ER CONSERVATION?
‘Green conservation’ is informed by the larger context of sustainability and defined by the parameters (or key factors) considered most relevant to conservation. The definition aims to outline environmental impacts alongside professional responsibilities and requirements within conservation decisions and practice, hereby considering the pertinent socio-economic aspects. The parameters are linked with the strategic impact areas as illustrated in figure 1. This definition focuses solely on conservation. The broader environmental impacts, social aspects and implicit value of cultural heritage itself are not directly included herein.
Figure 1. Strategic impact areas identified within the United Nations* 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The model diagram is based upon the approach from the World Green Building Council.
Our research strategy has included:
- compiling a database of policies, pertinent tools, datasets and relevant conservation literature to examine the definitions and usages of green-related terms within and -out our field;
- adopting a sustainability perspective and identifying our key impacts (inspired by strategies used within other industries) (Figure 1);
- incorporating the principles of sustainable green chemistry, LCA and EHS approaches;
- acknowledging the complexity of our decisions and applications;
- ensuring legible, transparent presentation of the parameters for applying in practice.
Additionally, a connected process of research and feedback (Figure 2) has ensured consultation with experts and the broader conservation community throughout. Input from others via workshops, focus groups meetings and surveys (Figure 3) has been unmissable and invaluable in developing and disseminating our work in progress definitions and parameters.
Figure 2. Connecting research and Feedback. Strategy of connected processes for defining Green in Conservation.
DEFINING GREEN/ER CONSERVATION
Watch this three minute video to see how we are defining green conservation
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YOUR FEEDBACK - SURVEY
Do you agree with the definition of green conservation? Is it easy to read? Is it relevant to your work? In this brief survey, you have the opportunity to make suggestions or comments.
As part of our research strategy of connecting research with continuous feedback, we would be happy to hear from you.
We thank you very much for your time!
