GoGreen: Green Strategies to Conserve the Past and Preserve the Future of Cultural Heritage

GoGreen is a European research project working to make heritage conservation more sustainable. The project is developing practical tools, materials, and methods that reduce environmental impact while supporting the long-term preservation of cultural heritage.

Many conservation practices in use today were developed before sustainability became a major concern. GoGreen addresses this challenge by creating new approaches to preventive and remedial conservation that place sustainability at the centre of decision-making.

The project is helping to define what “green conservation” means in practice, providing an evidence base that can support future standards and decision-making guidance. It is also developing innovative conservation materials and treatments inspired by historical practices, biological processes, and green chemistry.

Alongside this research, GoGreen is creating tools to help conservators understand the environmental impact of their choices, identify more sustainable alternatives, and implement green practice. Through these activities, the project aims to support a sector-wide shift towards conservation that benefits both cultural heritage and the environment.

GoGreen is a Horizon Europe project, led by the University of Amsterdam. NIKU’s role in the project is the development of a model that connects onto any conservation process to enhance “green” thinking and communication. It was developed in collaboration with practitioners from all over Europe.

The project lead from NIKU is Joel Taylor.