Heritage Adapts! is a global campaign and digital “Community of Action” platform that helps heritage sites and cultural practices adapt to climate change—[because communities with a strong connection to their heritage are more resilient.] Developed by a coalition of partners and recognized by the UNFCCC as a Plan to Accelerate Solutions, Heritage Adapts! aims to support at least 3,000 heritage sites and cultural practices in implementing locally led adaptation strategies by 2030.

Those connected to a heritage site or cultural practice* are invited to take the Heritage Adapts! pledge and join the “Community of Action” platform, a collaborative space to connect, learn, and act. Once registered, you’ll be guided through a self-directed, three-stage “Action Journey” to adaptation:

Stage A - Learn: enhancing your climate and heritage literacy 
Stage B - Assess: engaging your communities to create a risk assessment and adaptation plan 
Stage C - Act: implementing locally-led adaptation actions and tracking progress. 

View full details here. You’ll start by completing a short, four-question diagnostic that recommends your starting stage (which you can change if needed). From there, your personalized dashboard becomes your home base to track progress, participate in discussions, virtual events and office hours, and explore our resource database and service provider directory.

*Review the full eligibility guidelines here.

Those directly connected to a heritage site or cultural practice as a stakeholder or rightsholder can take the pledge, join the “Community of Action” platform, and participate in the full three-stage “Action Journey”. Whether you’re an individual, a team, or an organization, as long as you are connected to a heritage site or cultural practice, you are welcome to participate.

*Review the full eligibility guidelines here.

Additionally, anyone interested or involved in heritage and climate action can join the “Community of Action” platform to learn, engage, and support those on their adaptation journey. From policy to science, this is a home for you too. You’ll have access to resources, discussion boards, member messaging, virtual events, and your stage of the action journey. 

The pledge states: "I/We pledge to work to implement by 2030 a locally-led climate adaptation strategy for my/our heritage site or cultural practice." It is voluntary and non-binding, representing a public commitment to take good-faith action to adapt your community’s heritage site or cultural practice. The number of Heritage Sites and Cultural Practices, not the number of individuals participating, count towards the pledge goal of 3,000 by 2030.

No, it is free! The cost is currently being underwritten through a generous grant from the National Geographic Society as well as contributions from the Heritage Adapts! Leadership Partners.