Recognising the key role of culture for transformative climate action was the reason why over 30 Ministers or government representatives and cultural advocates from across the Globe attended the historic inaugural meeting of the ‘Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action’, co-chaired by the Ministers of Culture of the UAE and Brazil, at COP 28 in Dubai.
The participants unanimously adopted the Emirates Declaration on Culture-Based Climate Action. This declaration paves the way for the adoption of a Joint Work Decision on Culture-Based Climate Action at COP 29 which will take place in Azerbaïjan in 2024, and subsequently to a related action plan ahead of COP 30 in Brazil.
The following leading cultural organisations, all of whom are founding signatories of the Global Call to put Culture at the Heart of Climate Action, and most of whom are active members of the Climate Heritage Network were represented: ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas), Brazil Climate Action Hub, British Council, Europa Nostra/European Heritage Hub, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), International Council of Museums, (ICOM), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), International Peace Institute, Julie’s Bicycle, People’s Palace Projects, Petra National Trust, Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA), and World Monuments Fund (WMF).
‘’This is an absolutely pivotal step towards the full integration of culture and heritage in the climate agenda to achieve transformative and meaningful action and realise a just, equitable, inclusive and diverse climate resilient future,’’ stated HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Climate Heritage Network Special Envoy.
“Today we need to create a path for integrating culture into climate policy for the future, as well as raise awareness of culture’s transformative powers to change behaviour, and imagine its ability to unlock creative solutions that can engage all members of society across all sectors”, said H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture in his opening remarks.
“We argue that we will only achieve the results outlined in the Paris Agreement if we include culture, arts, heritage and creative industries as part of the response, generating conditions to transform thoughts into action”, added H.E. Margareth Menezes, Brazil Minister of Culture.
The Institute is a member of the Climate Heritage Network, launched in October 2019 in Edinburgh, UK, by organisations from around the world seeking to mobilise art, culture and heritage for climate action.to unlock the power of arts, culture and heritage to help people imagine and realise low carbon, just, climate resilient futures. The Institute is active in supporting cultural heritage with the 7 Most Endangered Programme with Europa Nostra.
