Culture and heritage gain recognition in global climate policy at COP30 in Belém, Brazil
The United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30 took place from 10-21 November in Belém, Brazil. At COP30, culture and heritage got their spotlight for the first time in COP history. For culture and heritage actors, this COP has meant moving from talk to tangible action and recognition, after decades of campaigning to embed culture and the arts in climate action.
At COP30, cultural and heritage were formally integrated into the Action Agenda — a long-awaited milestone. The presidency’s Action Agenda — the programme designed to mobilise and highlight scalable solutions to non-party stakeholders such as civil society, business, and NGOs — included culture-based action under Article 19. This year also saw the first-ever Culture Day as part of its themed days, signaling that culture is moving from margin to mainstream.
At COP30, HRH Princess Dana Firas formally announced the Heritage Adapts! 3000 x 2030 Campaign’s early 2026 launch. Photo by Susan Kamenar | Preserving Legacies
To further advance actionable progress, COP30 also introduced a new pathway to track and scale efforts across sectors: Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS). Roughly 100 PAS initiatives were selected and heritage’s role was reinforced through the inclusion of the Heritage Adapts! 3000 x 2030 Campaign among them.
Led by a global coalition of climate and culture organisations, including Europa Nostra and the EU-funded European Heritage Hub, the Campaign aims to see at least 3,000 heritage sites and cultural practices implementing adaptive strategies by 2030. To realise this vision, a first-of-its-kind online “community of action” will debut alongside the Campaign in early 2026. Part learning platform, part social network, it builds on the work of the Coalition partners to expand access to climate and heritage education, democratise climate data, and foster a global peer-to-peer network. Importantly, the Campaign aligns with Target 9(g) of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), offering a practical, measurable way for countries to advance their commitments.
On 13 November, HRH Princess Dana Firas, ICOMOS Vice-President (Arab States Regional Group), President of Petra National Trust, Chair of INTO and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, formally announced the Heritage Adapts! 3000 x 2030 Campaign’s early 2026 launch.
During COP30, representatives of the We Make Tomorrow Global Call — of which Europa Nostra and the European Heritage Hub are partners — stressed that culture is part of the solution to closing the emissions gap, enabling a just transition, and safeguarding heritage to sustain thriving communities.
Helena Ramos from Amazonia de Pe, background – Alice from Art of Change 21, Farhana Yamin, Thiago Jesus, Photo by Elizabeth Carpio
The campaign’s goal is to embed culture into global climate frameworks like the Global Stocktake and National Adaptation Plans. #WeMakeTomorrow is a global campaign bringing together artists and activists, creatives, designers, cultural knowledge and heritage keepers, united in climate action. Sign the We Make Tomorrow Global Call here
More information
COP30 makes clear: culture and heritage are central to climate adaptation planning, policy and finance
Heritage Gains Recognition in COP30’s Action Agenda in Belém, Brazil
Reflections on COP30 from the We Make Tomorrow Campaign
