A Cultural Shift in Climate Policy: The Global Call’s Mission at COP29

By Daniella Angulo

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, will take place from 11-22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. With around 50,000 delegates, including representation from all United Nations (UN) member states, diplomats, UN officials, climate scientists, NGOs, activists, and Indigenous leaders, among other sectors, each COP hopes to build collaboration between states to combat climate change. 

This year, advocacy groups are coming out in force to encourage meaningful climate action. One such group is the Climate Heritage Network, or CHN. They have initiated a coalition-based campaign that sees leading NGOs in the cultural sector collaborate with over 30 countries and intergovernmental organizations to push for a Global Call to put Culture at the Heart of Climate Action. 

Members of the Group of Friends at COP28, including the two Co-Chairs, H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the UAE and H.E. Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture of Brazil, and Special Envoy of the Climate Heritage Network HRH Princess Dana of Jordan, as well as representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society. Photo Credit: Climate Heritage Network

Representatives of Cultural Voices at COP28. Photo Credit: Climate Heritage Network

The Global Call wants culture – defined as everything from the arts to physical and intangible cultural heritage – to be the first thing policymakers think about in proposed climate solutions. Even though policymakers or activists sometimes do not recognize the importance of culture in climate advocacy, creative voices are pioneering new approaches and working towards a more sustainable future through systemic changes. To encourage this, the Global Call is asking governments to adopt a “Joint Work on Culture and Climate Action” decision (JWD). 

A JWD can make a big difference in the effectiveness of climate action. By kickstarting processes for national governments and the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the body that organizes the COP conferences and produces the UN’s climate reports) to to explore the intersection of culture and climate, the JWD can help these actors to tap into its potential for change. Workshops, expert meetings, and a new focus on culture can all become key parts of climate agendas. 

The Global Call says that culture can “inspire change, shift hearts and minds, and imagine and create new ways of living.” By adopting a JWD, the UN can strengthen its climate action “by recognizing that culture, heritage, and arts are integral to human life, expression, beliefs and behaviour and therefore integral to embracing the changes needed to create a better future.” In short, the creative sector would have a bigger influence in climate policy—something the Global Call and its supporters say is essential to tap into the societal transformation that effective climate action needs.

The advocates pushing this campaign forward are focusing on achieving their goal at COP30 in 2025, which will be in Brazil. This November, they’ll be working on bringing more people together in support of the Call. If you also believe that culture is critical to effective, lasting climate change solutions, you can learn more about the call and add your voice here.