COP Council Conclusions on environment and Culture at COP29

The 2024 Council Conclusions, released on 14 October, underscore the vital role of the cultural heritage sector in addressing climate change. Article 52 highlights the dual impact of climate change: the damage caused to both tangible and intangible cultural heritage and the sector's potential to drive climate action.

The Council of the European Union acknowledges the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters, emphasising the power of cultural heritage to raise awareness and foster collaboration at all levels of society. It also welcomes the UAE framework for Global Climate Resilience, which incorporates the protection of cultural heritage. The full Council Conclusions are available to read online.

At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action at the UNFCCC (GFCBCA) met on 15 November 2024 for the 2nd High-Level Ministerial for Culture-Based Climate Action at COP29,‘fortified by the shared conviction that acknowledging the cultural dimensions of climate action is crucial for achieving effective and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.’ Learn more in the meeting concept notes.