Energy efficiency in public historical buildings: an integrated approach. The case of the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome

Buildings are responsible of almost 40% of the world carbon emissions: the national energy strategies are focusing heavily on this sector and since 2013 the buildings’carbon emissions are lowering. The Public Administration owns a lot of inefficient buildings, and it could become an important driver of this efficiency process. Especially in Europe and even more in Italy, very often public buildings are also historical buildings, part of the cultural heritage of the nation, and this could be an handicap in developing these processes. The case of the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome shows how this challenge can be undertaken: since 2017 (“International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” promoted by UNWTO) the museum is following an integrated approach that is leading to an energy efficient public historical building. This approach can be replicated in similar buildings all over the world.