Climate change is impacting people and planet, with long-lasting and irreversible effects.
This manifesto has been prepared by the Climate Heritage Network, the world’s leading alliance of arts, culture and heritage organisations for climate action, uniting a global coalition of over 200 international, national and subnational networks, governments and cultural organisations.
We invite civil society, government at all levels, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, cultural organisations and institutions, businesses, universities and research organisations and other stakeholders to join us in signing on to this Manifesto, signalling our shared ambition to create just, thriving, and resilient communities today and into the future.
To read the manifesto in English, French or Spanish and sign up to it please follow this link: Manifesto Culture At COP - Climate Heritage Mobilization
Manifesto FAQ
Will the names of signatories be published?
Yes. The names of organisations and other signers will be published alongside the Manifesto . E-mail addresses will not be published.
What will be done with the contact information provided?
We will not share your e-mail address with anyone and will only use it to send you a confirmation link. If you give us permission, we will also add your email address to a very low volume mailing list managed by the Climate Heritage Network (CHN) which they may use to reach out in situations relevant to the Manifesto.
Where did the idea for the Manifesto Originate?
The idea for the Manifesto “Accelerating Climate Action through the Power of Arts, Culture and Heritage” originated with the Climate Heritage Network [link] and its Working Group 8, which focuses on building an Arts, Culture and Heritage Constituency for COP26. The Working Group conceived of the idea for the Manifesto as a way to summarise the key cultural messages for COP26.
How was the Manifesto Prepared?
The Manifesto was drafting by a Drafting Group assembled by the Climate Heritage Network Working Group 8. The Co-Chairs of the Drafting Group are Ewan Hyslop (Historic Environment Scotland) and Julianne Polanco (California Office of Historic Preservation)(Co-Chairs)/
The member are: Veronica Arias (CC35/Capital Cities of the Americas); Yunus Arikan (ICLEI); Alex Bishop (International National Trust Organisation); Carl Elefante (American Institute of Architects); Silja Fischer (International Music Council); Robert Janes (Coalition of Museums for Climate Justice); Hannah Fluck (Historic England); Daniela Micanovi (International Federation of Landscape Architects, Europe); Ishanlosen Odiaua (ICOMOS Nigeria); Jordi Pascual (Culture Committee, United Cities and Local Governments); Navin Piplani (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage); Erminia Sciacchitano (Italian Ministry of Culture) and Ege Yildirim (ICOMOS).
The drafting group worked for many months and prepared multiple drafts. These drafts were shared with a network of individuals and organisations working on diverse topics, including the cultural dimensions of climate education and capacity building, adaptation, resilience, mitigation and planning for loss and damage. A final version was publicly launched on 8 September 2021.
How Will the Manifesto Be Used?
The Manifesto will be displayed on the Climate Heritage Network website, for which you can find the link above. In addition, the CHN will send a copy of the Manifesto to Alok Sharma, the President of COP26 and to the COP26 High-Level Champions, Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz. More broadly, the Manifesto is designed to:
• Create a common source document to help inform the messaging of diverse arts, culture and heritage operators, organisations and institutions around the world and in that way give some coherence to the global cultural message to the COP.
• Broadly connect the unique perspectives of culture actors to the political and policy agendas at the COP.
