Sustainability in Context: An Evidence-based (Digital) Preservation LIfecycle Investigation

This paper outlines the early work of the ReVerDi project, a collaboration between three national libraries and three university partners to explore the environment, economic, and social impact of 'Real Versus Digital' collecting decisions. It uses the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Methodology (LCSA) to develop an evidence-based approach for cultural heritage sustainability optimization, reflecting the wider operational context of collecting institutions in relation to the increased importance of environmentally sustainable collecting. This conference paper for the 2025 international digital preservation conference iPRES2025 presents the project's research methodology, outlines how ReVerDi fills a gap in the current research literature, and summarises our progress and thinking to date.