The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recently closed in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The event, which opened on November 11, was marked by concern, with the United Nations announcing that 2024 could see a new record high in global greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas. However, among the concrete achievements that emerged from the conference were progress in integrating cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, into climate change adaptation strategies. An achievement made possible thanks to the joint lobbying of 35 countries, including Greece, which through its Ministry of Culture successfully advocated for the inclusion of cultural heritage in the UN Loss and Damage Fund.

The Italian National Research Council (CNR) has played a major role in this area, developing tools and knowledge as part of the coordination of the GreenHeritage project, co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS-EDU-2022-PI-FORWARD call. GreenHeritage aims to highlight the urgency of collective action against climate change by promoting systemic approaches to protect Europe’s cultural heritage.

Launched to address challenges related to intangible cultural heritage, GreenHeritage aims to create innovative methodologies to improve management of the effects of climate change in Europe.

The project has already produced significant results, including an interactive map highlighting Europe’s most at-risk areas; a blended learning program, consisting of online modules and transnational workshops, aimed at researchers, policymakers and practitioners; and a micro-credentialing program aimed at a broader audience, with online modules dedicated to raising awareness and training on the issue.

For insights and details see:

https://www.cnr.it/it/news/13127/climate-change-and-cultural-heritage-protection