Outline of the methodology for environmental assessment of cultural institutions with a focus on museums

Purpose This paper introduces a methodological framework to support museums—and the wider cultural and creative industries—in embedding environmental sustainability into their core operations. The objective is to create structured processes that enable systematic monitoring, continuous improvement, and innovation toward genuinely sustainable “green museums.” Unlike existing frameworks for cultural institutions (e.g. ICOM Strategic Plan, 2022–2028, American Alliance of Museums standards, Julie’s Bicycle Creative Green tools), which are mainly qualitative or fragmented, this approach offers a quantitative and risk-based protocol that integrates multiple methods into one system. Design/methodology/approach Inspired by the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) model, the framework integrates principles from EMAS, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and ISO 14001:2015. It is grounded in extensive, practice-based experience from the museum sector and translates established environmental management logics into the cultural domain. It also introduces blockchain technology as a novel tool for transparent benchmarking and cross-institutional comparison. Findings The approach focuses on identifying and measuring Critical Environmental Points (CEPs), providing quantifiable indicators that capture environmental performance across museum processes. These data can be aggregated into benchmarking systems, enabling museums to prioritise interventions and track progress against sustainability targets. A hypothetical case study illustrates how the framework operates in practice and shows its robustness when key variables, such as visitor flows, energy use or waste management, change. Originality/value The study presents an innovative, cross-sectoral application of established methodologies that have not been previously adapted for use in the museum sector. Unlike building-focused certification systems such as Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the framework expands its scope to include exhibitions, conservation, visitor mobility and educational activities. While still conceptual, it offers a flexible framework adaptable to diverse institutional contexts and highlights pathways for further research and refinement. Future work should validate the framework through pilot testing in real museums, ensuring its scalability for both large and small institutions.