Heritage Adapts! A New Global Initiative to Combat Climate Change by 2030

Heritage Adapts! Campaign Launch

On June 4, 2026, the world witnessed the launch of the "Heritage Adapts!" campaign, a momentous initiative poised to unite the heritage sector globally in a shared commitment. Spearheaded by Preserving Legacies and endorsed by the National Geographic Society, this campaign aims to adapt at least 3,000 heritage sites and practices to combat climate change by 2030.

According to a recent data report by UNESCO, climate risks to heritage sites have escalated by 40% over the past decade, raising alarm that more than one in four designated sites could face irreversible changes by 2050. This stark reality highlights the urgent need for a proactive approach to safeguard our shared cultural legacy.

The Heritage Adapts! campaign aims to mobilize local leaders, providing them with essential technical expertise, access to localized data, and international connections necessary for success. Recognized as one of the 120 promising climate action plans under the UN's Global Climate Action Program, it showcases how preserving our heritage can bolster community resilience against climate threats.

Andrew Potts, director of policy for Preserving Legacies, commented on the initiative: "As the world races towards a potential 2-degree Celsius increase, we are in a critical window to assist communities, alongside the culture and heritage that support them, in adapting to climate change while time allows." This initiative seeks to deliver tangible help to every cultural site and practice worldwide.

With an initial coalition of over 100 organizations, Heritage Adapts! strives to fill the gaps in climate financing and policy that have historically sidelined cultural heritage in the face of climate change. Despite being often overshadowed, heritage does hold the key to resilience and sustainable solutions for communities facing climate challenges.

In this digital era, the campaign will utilize an online platform that allows community action and self-training to make the adaptation process simpler and accessible to all. Ian Miller, director of science and innovation at National Geographic Society, remarked on the importance of collective effort: "Protecting World Heritage sites from climate change is not a challenge any single community or nation can tackle alone. By combining scientific approaches with local wisdom, the Heritage Adapts! initiative ensures that we can genuinely act together to conserve our shared human story for future generations."

Furthermore, the initiative's design emphasizes the vital role culture and heritage play in community identity, history, and future planning. As Dan Ioschpe, climate high-level champion for COP30 stated, "Climate action begins and ends with communities, and culture is one of the most potent tools for sustainable change. This initiative aligns with the global adaptation goal and serves as a collaborative platform for multipartite engagement."

Individuals and organizations interested in joining this crucial movement can engage with the campaign's resources by visiting act.heritageadapts.org.

Conclusion

The Heritage Adapts! campaign marks a pivotal step in the fight against climate change through the lens of cultural heritage. As communities around the globe unite to bolster their resilience, the ensuing collaboration may define the legacy of our cultural heritage for generations to come.