New Toolkit Underway To Strengthen Capacities for Climate Action in World Heritage Sites
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the three Advisory Bodies – ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN –are developing their first joint toolkit on climate action for World Heritage. Coordinated through the World Heritage Leadership programme, and with the initial support from the Australian Government, the toolkit will support States Parties and site managers to integrate climate change action in the management strategies of World Heritage sites.
Climate change and climate action have long been at the heart of ICOMOS' work.
Climate emergency as a global and growing threat was first addressed at the ICOMOS 15th Triennial General Assembly in 2005, and the ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group (CAWG) was formed 12 years later, in 2017. Since then, the CAWG has been carrying out valuable work to help support our organisation's climate change policies and engagement.
The joint Capacity Development Project on Climate Action for World Heritage is crucial for cultural, natural and mixed World Heritage Sites in helping them tackle climate change, while including local and indigenous knowledge as well as ecosystem functions and services.
UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN will undertake several actions in order to produce the new toolkit:
- scoping study to assess current responses
- evaluation of existing tools and guidance
- workshops with stakeholders and actors engaged in the work
The joint team will identify training and capacity needs in order to ensure the consistent application of the toolkit across World Heritage Sites.
Funding for the first phase of the project has been provided by the Australian Government, who generously committed 510,000 AUD (315,000 EUR).
Stay tuned for updates on the toolkit!
See more
ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group / Climate Justice and Equity Toolkit
ICOMOS Triennial Scientific Plan 2021-2024 / Cultural Heritage and Climate Action