Mobilising UK Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Research and Energising Brazil’s Cultural Sector ahead of COP30

AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council)

Grant Ref: AH/Z506874/1

As the climate crisis reaches a critical stage globally with increasingly frequent and devastating climate emergencies, tangible/intangible cultural heritage is becoming recognised as an essential resource. By enhancing the role of community-based civil society organisations as drivers for sustainable development, culture can support the creation of
post-carbon futures and promote inclusive, effective, accountable, and gender-responsive development.

COP30 – to be hosted in Belém in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon – will mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and the anticipated launch of recommendations for culture-based climate action. Collaborating with grassroots research and activism movement Amazônia de Pé, People’s Palace Projects will connect UK researchers with Brazilian artists, key stakeholders, climate activists, researchers and organisations in a series of workshops and networking events to conceptualise a cultural heritage strategy for COP30. This will lead to a co-created communications campaign to raise awareness around the role tangible/intangible cultural heritage plays in climate mitigation, action and adaptation. The proposed activity will support the translation of research into policy, as well as mobilising UK Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Research amongst stakeholders, and energising Brazil’s cultural sector to connect with local and national policymakers ahead of COP30.