Heritage Adapts! Campaign Aims to Protect 3,000 Sites by 2030 with UN Backing
Event summary
- Heritage Adapts! campaign launched June 4, 2026, targeting 3,000 heritage sites and practices for climate adaptation by 2030.
- Coalition of over 100 organizations, led by Preserving Legacies and supported by National Geographic Society.
- UN-recognized initiative aims to fill gap in climate finance and policy for heritage adaptation.
- Online platform provides technical guidance, localized data, and global connections for local stewards.
- UNESCO reports 40% increase in climate hazards to heritage sites over the past decade.
The big picture
The Heritage Adapts! campaign addresses a critical gap in climate adaptation efforts, focusing on heritage sites often overlooked by international frameworks. With UN recognition and a coalition of over 100 organizations, the initiative aims to strengthen community resilience by protecting cultural heritage from climate risks. The campaign's success could set a precedent for integrating heritage preservation into broader climate action strategies.
What we're watching
- Funding Momentum
- Whether Heritage Adapts! can secure sufficient climate finance to support 3,000 sites by 2030.
- Global Participation
- The pace at which additional organizations and heritage sites join the initiative.
- Policy Integration
- How effectively the campaign influences climate policy to include heritage adaptation.