25/11/2024
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recently concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan.
COP29 began on November 11 in a tense atmosphere, as the United Nations announced that 2024 is expected to set a new record for global greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. Among the few measurable positive outcomes of the conference were advancements in adapting cultural heritage to the effects of climate change. This progress came about thanks to the coordinated pressure of 35 countries—including Greece, through its Ministry of Culture—which successfully advocated for the inclusion of cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible) in the United Nations Loss and Damage Fund.
It is worth noting that the Cnr (Italian National Research Council) has been actively engaged in these timely issues for several years, contributing to the global discourse on the impact of climate change on tangible cultural heritage through two projects: "Heracles" (HORIZON 2020, 2016–2019) and "GreenHeritage" (HORIZON Europe, 2022–2025). Both initiatives are coordinated by the Cnr through its Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials (Cnr-Ismn) and the Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies (Cnr-Irpps).
The "Heracles" project focused on developing solutions to increase the resilience of historical and archaeological cultural heritage assets against the damage caused by climate change. The outcome was an ICT platform capable of integrating diverse data sources to provide up-to-date information aimed at enhancing resilience in terms of maintenance, conservation, mitigation, and risk management. The project studied the medieval town of Gubbio, where climate change-induced hydrogeological risks threaten buildings and ancient city walls. It also examined Crete (Greece), specifically the UNESCO-listed Palace of Knossos and the Venetian fortress of Koules in the port of Heraklion, analyzing the effects of sea level rise caused by climate change.
"GreenHeritage" project, which held its second annual meeting in Brussels on November 20 in the presence of the European Commission's Project Officer, seeks to develop innovative tools and methodologies to promote adaptive and systemic approaches for better managing and mitigating the effects of climate change on intangible cultural heritage. Focusing particularly on Europe, this topic has received little or no attention so far. GreenHeritage aspires to serve as a powerful reminder that climate change is a present reality, affecting all aspects of European cultural heritage both directly and indirectly. In this sense, it is also an urgent call to stimulate collective action. The project operates at local, national and European levels.
"GreenHeritage", "The impact of Climate Change on the Intangible Cultural Heritage” is co-funded by the European Union (Granting authority: European Education and Culture Executive Agency), in the Call: ERASMUS-EDU-2022-PI-FORWARD.
Among the project outcomes:
• An interactive map showing examples of the most endangered areas and regions in Europe where CC has started to impact negatively on different types of ICH;
• A blended learning program on ICH and CC consisting of 4 online modules and 4 transnational physical workshops, targeting cross-sectoral PhD candidates, researchers, and policymakers & practitioners;
• A micro-credentials programme on ICH and CC consisting of 4 online modules targeting a broader audience.
Per informazioni:
Giuseppina Padeletti
Cnr-Ismn
giuseppina.padeletti@cnr.it
Roberta Ribera, Cnr-Ismn, roberta.ribera@cnr.it
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