Sustainable heritage
To be able to pass our heritage on to future generations, it is absolutely crucial that we adjust to contemporary requirements and wishes on the part of users and our living environment. This is especially relevant at a time when the Netherlands is facing the major challenge of drastically reducing its CO2 emissions and, in doing so, combatting global warming. This challenge is faced by heritage sites, too.
Future-proofing heritage
This affects heritage sites that have a public function, such as museums, theatres, music venues and event locations, as well as private residential homes.
Together, heritage sites in the Netherlands account for 2% of the total number of buildings in the country. That seems like a relatively small figure. Still, it is important that heritage sites are made more sustainable too. After all, heritage sites largely determine the character of our villages and city centres, and we therefore aim to maintain them and make them future-proof.
We strive towards reducing the CO2 emissions of national, provincial and municipal heritage sites by 40% by 2030 and by 60% by 2040.
Solar energy on the roof of Het Schip residential building in Amsterdam.
Tailor-made solutions
Because of their longevity, heritage sites are already sustainable from a circular perspective. But in terms of usage, they are not. There is still much to be achieved in this area, but it must be done so in a way that the buildings do not lose their cultural-historical value. Energy use could be made more economical, for example. Making a heritage site more sustainable requires tailor-made solutions. To this end, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed | RCE) offers advice and knowledge development for both owners and professionals in the field.
Role of the RCE
Together with provinces and municipalities, the RCE is tasked with boosting the sustainability of heritage sites in the Netherlands. Overarching agreements have been laid down by the heritage sector in the Routekaart Verduurzaming Monumenten (Roadmap for Enhancing the Sustainability of Monuments). The RCE is a partner in this.
On a larger scale, sustainability revolves around deploying new energy sources, such as wind, solar and water power.