Following a decade of campaigning, the arts, heritage, and creative industries have finally been given a platform at the heart of climate action with the launch of the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action at COP28 last week.
Last month, the Climate Heritage Network issued its Global Call to Put Culture at the Heart of Climate Action with a UN process which would trigger policies and frameworks to enable culture to contribute fully to climate solutions.
In its call, the Group of Friends argued that while culture is a powerful force that shapes our lives wherever we are in the world, it ‘has not been integrated into climate policy and planning,’ while culture-led solutions ‘that are inclusive, local as well as global, and focused on people and nature are already abundant.’
In November, the network said: “Cultural heritage, including traditional knowledge, strengthens resilience, helps communities to adapt to climate impacts, protects places, and offers green, circular, and regenerative solutions.
“The arts speak to hearts and minds, inspiring action and helping us understand climate change through storytelling and shared experiences. The creative industries – design, music, fashion, and film – shape our lifestyles, tastes, and consumptive patterns.
“To strengthen global climate action, we must urgently harness the extraordinary potential of cultural heritage, arts, and creative sectors to help people imagine and realise low-carbon, just, climate resilient futures.”
Making COP history last week, the UAE conference held the world’s first ministerial meeting on the topic, convened and chaired by the Ministers of Culture of the UAE and Brazil, More than 30 governments were represented as well as key intergovernmental organisations such as UNESCO; ALESCO; ICESCO; and the European Union represented by the European Commission.
The meeting witnessed the adoption of the Emirates Declaration on Culture Based Climate Action, a ‘visionary declaration’ that will now pave the way for the adoption of a Joint Work Decision on Culture-Based Climate Action at COP29 in Europe this time next year.
The Global Call back in November was signed by more than 1,500 organisation and individuals. Among the founding signatories of the movement was Julie’s Bicycle, a pioneering not-for-profit working to mobilise the arts and culture to take action on the climate, nature, and justice crisis.
Alison Tickell, ceo at Julie’s Bicycle, said: “Culture is one of our most powerful, enduring, and universal manifestations of who we are and how we live – in short, what matters to us. So it is with great joy that I welcome the Group of Friends and urge us all to support this game-changing initiative by joining the Global Call to Action.”
