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Cultural and heritage bodies urged to take climate change action

© Historic Environment ScotlandPost Thumbnail

Organisations across the arts, culture and heritage sector are being urged to take action against climate change.

The calls come as a new as a new international network launches in Edinburgh today at an event hosted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The Climate Heritage Network, conceived at the Global Climate Action Summit in California last year, will provide a platform for the sector to unite to tackle climate change.

Worldwide rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and increasing extreme weather events are some of the most significant and fastest-growing threats to global cultural heritage.

Iconic historic places – from archaeological and prehistoric sites, such as Skara Brae in Orkney, to coastal cities like Venice, Italy and Saint-Louis, Senegal – are extremely vulnerable to these impacts.

Climate change and rising sea levels also put cultural collections, such as archives, artworks and artefacts, at risk.

Intangible heritage, such as languages and oral traditions, also face a fight for survival as climate change threatens to displace communities.

As well as highlighting the severity of the climate change threat to historic sites worldwide, the Climate Heritage Network will also seek to inspire individuals, organisations and communities to take climate action.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Climate Heritage Network is a sector coming together to take effective, collective action against climate change.

“There is a significant role for everyone in society to support the change required to meet our ambitious new targets and this is exactly the type of global, connected response we need to see.

“Scotland is well known throughout the world for its rich cultural heritage and we must protect our historic sites for future generations. I am proud to see Historic Environment Scotland leading the way and collaborating with partners across the globe.”

Ewan Hyslop, Head of Technical Research & Science at HES, and Co-Chair of the Climate Heritage Network Global Launch, said: “We’re delighted that Scotland was chosen as the host nation for the global launch of the Climate Heritage Network, reflecting the country’s strong leadership on climate action.

“Scotland has some of the most ambitious climate change targets in the world, and at HES we’re proud to play a lead role in supporting these through our innovative programmes of research, education and training.”


@ClimateHeritage