Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY

Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art stands as a preeminent cultural institution, stewarding an unparalleled collection that spans over five millennia and encompasses artworks from every continent. Guided by a multiyear strategic framework that embeds sustainability as a core institutional imperative, The Met integrates rigorous commitments to reducing environmental impacts, fostering staff engagement in climate action, and cultivating partnerships that advance sector-wide sustainability initiatives. With nineteen curatorial departments and ongoing reassessment of its galleries and technologies, The Met pioneers conservation science and sustainable museum leadership while actively collaborating internationally to develop industry-wide standards.

Supported by the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, The Met’s Sustainable Strategies program employs whole-building calibrated simulations to precisely quantify reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions achievable by refining environmental parameters within galleries. This multiphase initiative, which aligns with authoritative conservation frameworks including the Bizot Green Protocol, recalibrates temperature and humidity setpoints across 116 air handling units and five central plants. Through data-driven HVAC adjustments and rigorous pilot studies verifying both energy savings and collection safety, The Met aims to substantially reduce its carbon footprint while safeguarding its collection. The outcomes will be integrated into its comprehensive 2025 Sustainability Strategy and disseminated broadly to inspire sustainable stewardship and climate-conscious practices throughout the museum field.

Milestones

• Develop and calibrate an advanced whole-building energy model covering 116 air handling units and five central plants

• Evaluate revised temperature and humidity standards aligned with international conservation frameworks

• Implement HVAC system adjustments through building management software programming

• Conduct pilot studies measuring emissions reductions alongside collection preservation

• Integrate findings into The Met’s comprehensive 2025 Sustainability Strategy

• Disseminate results to cultural institutions to advance industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices