YORK'S National Railway Museum has unveiled its reopening plans along with an ambitious target to achieve net zero by 2033.

The attraction intends to welcome back visitors from Wednesday, May 19, with an advance online booking system in place, and tickets available from April 26.

The museum, part of the Science Museum Group, has committed to changing the way it works to achieve a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Measures will range from reducing food waste in its cafés to the design and build of the museum’s new masterplan galleries and buildings.

The new Central Hall building, scheduled to open in 2025, will dramatically reduce reliance on concrete and steel by creating a timber frame structure.

A combination of passive design principles and active systems, including the use of recycled copper, will reduce the museum's operational carbon footprint by 80 per cent.

Judith McNicol, NRM director, said: “Vision 2025 is our £55m transformation to become the world’s railway museum.

"It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect the past with the present and to inspire the innovators and problem-solvers of the future and it is only right that environmental sustainability is embedded into this journey.

"It colours and informs our approach for design, construction, operation and engagement.

“Achieving Net Zero will benefit our visitors and the wider local community and our response is driven by a sense of urgency and purpose: to think big and to leave a positive legacy for those who follow.”

The museum will also focus on sustainability and climate change in its public programme throughout 2021.

Talks for the Science Museum Group’s Climate Talks series ahead of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 are available to book from today.

Since launching in January, more than 20,000 people have booked a free ticket or watched an event online, with speakers including conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, economist Sir Partha Dasgupta, astronauts Tim Peake and Helen Sharman, musician Brian Eno and Bollywood star Dia Mirza.

Streamed online to connect with an expanding global audience, the talks bring together a diverse, distinguished line up of international speakers to confront issues around climate science and explore which innovations can make a difference.

Future topics range from the clean energy revolution to how our oceans are responding to climate change.

Speakers include journalist Anushka Asthana, Malawian inventor and author William Kamkwamba, Kwasi Kwarteng MP, former president of the Republic of Kiribati Anote Tong.

The museum’s commitment to sustainability will not affect on-site train rides or the operation of steam locomotives such as Flying Scotsman at heritage railways and on the main line.

Working steam locomotives are positive ambassadors for the museum and can significantly enhance the visitor experience. According to current estimates, the operation of rail vehicles accounts for just three per cent of the Group’s overall carbon footprint.

More information about the NRM's reopening will be announced later this month, but visitors will be asked to book online in advance and follow social distancing.