After COP-30, INTO and partners reinforce the climate-heritage agenda with an inspiring exhibition in London

In the immediate aftermath of COP-30, the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) brought together partners, peers, and supporters at the British Academy in London for the launch of its new exhibition, Heritage belongs in every climate conversation: A ‘Withstanding Change’ exhibition. The event celebrated the growing international movement — championed by Europa Nostra, INTO, and the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) — to place culture and heritage at the very heart of global climate action.

 

The evening opened with introductory remarks from Alexander Bishop, Deputy Secretary General of INTO, and Stephanie Grant, Director of the Cultural Protection Fund at the British Council, setting the tone for an inspiring conversation on heritage as a driver of resilience, community empowerment, and climate adaptation.

A standout moment of the evening was the early premiere of INTO’s short film on the Ghassania Theatre in Homs, a CPF-supported project that illustrates the resilience of communities safeguarding heritage amid conflict and climate vulnerability. The final version of the film will be released online early next year, offering global audiences a moving example of how heritage work can foster recovery, pride, and a vision for the future. The 2 December exhibition launch demonstrated a shared, cross-border commitment: heritage diplomacy, community stewardship, and climate action are inseparable.

 

The exhibition followed directly after another significant gathering on 1 December at the Embassy of the Czech Republic: “Heritage in the Heated World,” hosted by the Czech National Trust with the participation of HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Chair of INTO, ICOMOS Vice-President, President of Petra National Trust, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage. This high-level event reaffirmed the essential role of cultural heritage in diplomacy, social continuity, and post-COP30 climate resilience. Contributions included Catherine Leonard, Secretary General of INTO, emphasising the pivotal role of heritage networks in supporting international collaboration. The event also highlighted the recent restoration of the tomb and chapel of Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach in Zdislavice by the Czech National Trust — a compelling example of heritage-led action in practice.

 

Further strengthening the collaborative spirit, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra, and Vanessa Fraga Prol, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager at Europa Nostra, participated in the events to reaffirm and enhance the partnerships between the organisations     , highlighting synergies across their programmes and networks.

Together, the two events showcased a unified international front, bringing together European and global partners committed to advancing heritage-led solutions for a sustainable future. A shared heritage mission across Europe and the world.

For decades, Europa Nostra across Europe, and INTO and CPF globally have collaborated to strengthen the heritage movement, forging enduring connections that span continents. This commitment will continue with the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus, which promises to build new links with countries across the Mediterranean, further advancing the collaborative work of these organisations.

This shared mission was evident in the diverse audience at the British Academy, which included representatives from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, National Trust colleagues, and heritage partners from Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Syria. Their presence highlighted the power of cultural heritage — whether threatened, fragile, or flourishing — to create meaningful bridges between nations, communities, and generations.

The exhibition and its accompanying events conveyed a compelling message: heritage is not merely a witness to the past, but a vital catalyst for climate action, resilience, and sustainable development, shaping both present and future societies.

 

More information

Learn more about INTO’s climate-heritage work: into.org/into-projects
Explore the Withstanding Change Resource Hub: into.org/withstanding-change-resource-hub