In 2023-24, in response to increases of extreme weather events impacts on museums and the current and future risks of climate change, Museum Development teams across the north of England commissioned research to review the emergency preparedness of the area museum sector. Using a set of key research questions the project, carried out by S.G. Lingard Consultancy, gathered data and information from museums across the north of England to understand how prepared the sector feels in responding to emergencies and how museums could be supported to understand and manage these risks. The final reports document the responses from the sector and provide a set of recommendations to support emergency preparedness.

This is the MDNW report.

In 2023-24, in response to increases of extreme weather events impacts on museums and the current and future risks of climate change, Museum Development teams across the north of England commissioned research to review the emergency preparedness of the area museum sector. Using a set of key research questions the project, carried out by S.G. Lingard Consultancy, gathered data and information from museums across the north of England to understand how prepared the sector feels in responding to emergencies and how museums could be supported to understand and manage these risks. The final reports document the responses from the sector and provide a set of recommendations to support emergency preparedness.

This is the MDNE and MDY report.

West Cheshire Museums – A sustainability festival including craft fairs, outdoor yoga, open mic nights, ‘climate ceilidhs’, clothes swaps, litter picks, pub quizzes, eco-storytelling, and a local circus troupe. Accompanied by a travelling Augmented Reality exhibition about plastic pollution.

Warrington Museum & Art Gallery – Creating a Sky Garden and rolling out Carbon Literacy Training.

Touchstones Rochdale – The Dippy on Tour exhibition, an installation of over 1000 knitted bees, and the start of climate action work.

Scarborough Museums & Galleries – A Space to Be – a community space with sustainability at its heart, including activities exploring nature, supporting discussion and debate.

REME Museum – Greening the Museum through creating a wildflower garden and ‘Dig for Victory’ vegetable patch.

Quaker Tapestry Museum – The Flood Tapestry Project, creating a way for the people to share their experience of the Storm Desmond flooding, and to celebrate community resilience.

National Football Museum (NFM) – One of the first museums in the country to officially become a Carbon Literacy Organisation. NFM is aiming to reduce their direct carbon emissions by 50% by 2025 through staff training, visitor engagement and new lighting.

Judges’ Lodgings Museum – Rolling out Carbon Literacy Training and establishing a Green Team. Introducing a hotbin, LED lighting and bike stands.