Nov 27 2025

ICOMOS in strong partnerships at COP30: Heritage, Culture, and Global Climate Action

ICOMOS took part in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which was held from 10-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, to reaffirm its commitment to climate action within heritage conservation practices. ICOMOS has been active both in advocating for the inclusion of cultural heritage in climate policies and in implementing cultural heritage-based climate action in the agenda, in strong partnerships with Climate Heritage Network, Preserving Legacies, Architecture 2030, the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action, and several cultural coalitions.

Highlights outcomes:

For the first time in the 33 year history of the UNFCCC, culture and heritage have been operationalized in international climate policy. Following two years of tireless advocacy by HACA and building on the work of the Climate Heritage Network, which began at COP26, the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) decision taken at COP30 makes clear that culture and heritage must be included in every dimension of adaptation, at every level.

Involved in 3 heritage-centric Plans To Accelerate Solutions (PAS) on the Global Climate Action Agenda, ICOMOS reaffirmed its commitment to climate action within heritage conservation practices through the involvement of its members and partner projects within #COP30 events.

Icomos Climate Action Working Group Focal Point Ave Paulus was involved in a total of 10 COP30 events and side events on topics such as climate resilience, culture-based solutions, cultural heritage and community protection in the face of #ClimateChange.

The Preserving Legacies project, of which ICOMOS is primary partner, received the 2025 Local Adaptation Champions Award for its community-driven work in the field of cultural heritage. Additionally, the Heritage Adapts to Climate Alliance (HACA) initiative announced the 2026 launch of its 3000 x 2030 Campaign, with ICOMOS acting as a lead partner.