How to consider environmental sustainability in your heritage project
Climate change is already impacting our society, our natural environment and our heritage.
We want all the projects we fund to reduce the effects of the climate crisis, assist places and people to adapt to our changing planet, and to support nature’s recovery across the UK.
We expect them all to have a positive impact on our environment and we factor a project’s environmental impact into our decision making.
We expect to see environmental sustainability embedded into applicants' decision making.
This applies to all projects – whether our funding is supporting an entire landscape, regeneration of a local park, a museum refurbishment or bringing a community together.
What we expect from projects
To reach our environmental sustainability requirement, we expect all projects we fund to:
- limit any potential damage to the environment
- make a positive impact on the environment and particularly for nature
Including environmental sustainability within your project right from the beginning will mean your project is likely to be more resilient, financially sustainable and have multiple benefits for people and the community.
We expect to see environmental sustainability embedded into applicants' decision making. You should also think about how to measure your environmental sustainability and ensure that this is part of your evaluation strategy.
Essential links
- Our environmental sustainability requirement.
- Read our in-depth good practice guidance.
- Access practical support from the Fit for the Future network.
Projects
Restoring the habitats of wild oysters in Conwy Bay
ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Bangor University are restoring native oyster habitats in Conwy Bay to improve marine biodiversity, increase coastal resilience and re-connect people with their coastal heritage.

News
Applications open for One Young World Heritage Fund scholarships
Projects
Faughan Valley’s ancient woodlands open to the public
The Woodland Trust project is reconnecting people with the outdoors by using trees and woodlands to build a resilient landscape that’s a haven for wildlife.
Projects
Horniman gets the green light for transformational nature project
Described as a once-in-a-generation project, the Natural History Gallery and gardens will be redeveloped into a new and engaging space for all.
Projects
Saving rare Celtic Rainforest in the Elan Valley
People in Radnorshire will have better access to an area of temperate rainforest – an extremely rare habitat which will be better protected and managed.
News
New Species Survival Fund will create and restore natural habitats
Stories
Case study: The Food Museum – Hedgerow
Projects
Natur am Byth – Saving Wales’ Threatened Species
The Natur am Byth partnership is bringing together 10 leading conservation organisations to protect and save 67 of Wales’ most vulnerable species.
Projects
Brampton is Growing: environmentally sustainable museum redevelopment
An inspiring eco refurbishment project transformed The Brampton Museum, adapting to the climate crisis and increasing its capacity to welcome more people to the museum.
News
The Food Museum and SS Great Britain Trust win Sustainable Project of the Year

Stories
The plight of the bumblebees and how we can save them

News