Heritage as a Driver of Sustainability
Cultural heritage is an under-recognized resource for sustainable development, which must be leveraged to fully achieve the SDGs. Heritage supports environmental quality, education, inclusive economic development, social cohesion, equity, community well-being and resilience.
Cathedral of Cuenca (2007/2007) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
ICOMOS Work for the SDGs ("Sustainable Development Goals")
ICOMOS embraced sustainability as early as 1964 -as the Venice Charter advocated heritage safeguarding for the benefit of future generations- increasing our focus with the 2011 Paris Declaration and creating the SDGs Working Group in 2015, when the UN 2030 Agenda was adopted.
Machupichu (2013/2013) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
How are Sustainability and Heritage Interconnected?
The SDGs Working Group is increasing awareness around this theme so that we can harness cultural heritage resources to accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda. It is a two-way relationship; the vulnerability of heritage can be overcome to support better sustainable development.
The Coliseum (2017/2017) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
What Role Does Heritage Conservation Play in Achieving SDGs?
The UN SDGs 11, 8, 12, 4, and 16 are influenced by the protection of cultural heritage, responsible consumption through adaptive reuse, tourism jobs, increasing awareness, heritage resources and knowledge, a sense of belonging, and recovering post disaster.
Interactive Survey on SDGs for Participants of the ICOMOS 19th General Assembly (2017) by Ege YildirimICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Advocating the Role of Cultural Heritage in the SDGs
ICOMOS has mobilized its SDGWG to help raise the visibility of cultural heritage in sustainable development debates. This includes communicating and advocating the role of heritage at global, national, and local levels of policy and practice, as well as within academia.
Damascus gate (2016/2016) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Heritage for Climate Action, Human Rights and Sustainability
The SDGWG coordinates with sister WGs on Rights-Based Approaches and Climate Change & Heritage, which established the Climate Heritage Network. Other groups, e.g. Emerging Professionals, Culture-Nature Journey, and Indigenous Heritage foster our diverse, inclusive approach.
Kasbah Mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco (2019/2019) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Cultural Heritage Defines Our Identity
Cultural heritage strengthens a country, defines its citizens’ shared identity and makes the land an attractive place to live. The diversity of heritage allows regional identities to thrive, supporting human dignity, peace, security and well-being. (SDG 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16)
Green Bed and Breakfast in a historic neighbourhood in Ottawa, Canada (2019) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
“The Greenest Building is the One Already Built”
Heritage buildings can be adaptively reused, conserving their embodied energy and heritage values, which in turn reduces the carbon footprint of the building sector. They can also be upgraded through the addition of renewables. (SDG 7, 8, 11, 13, 17)
Breakout Session for Developing the ICOMOS Action Plan on Cultural Heritage and Localizing the SDGs (2017) by ICOMOSICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Leveraging Cultural Heritage as a Policy Tool
ICOMOS produces policy, analysis and outreach documents to inform stakeholders and educate people on heritage issues and solutions. Our guiding documents include the 2016 Concept Note, 2017 Action Plan, information kits and our SDGs Policy Guidance in development. (SDG 4, 11, 16)
Demonstration of 'silk drawing' in Mudurnu, a Silk Road town in Turkey during European Heritage Days (2016) by ICOMOSICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Cultural Heritage Promotes Creativity and Productivity
The cultural heritage of communities contributes to decent jobs based on local cultural products; traditional arts adapted with innovation to contemporary cultural industries; tourism promoting inter-cultural understanding and sustainable livelihoods. (SDG 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16)
UN-Habitat and ICOMOS signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the World Urban Forum 10 (2020-02-08)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Harnessing Heritage for Sustainable Cities and Communities
Based on the close relationship of cultural heritage with urbanization, ICOMOS works closely with UCLG Culture Committee, our partner in the Culture 2030 Goal Campaign, and with UN-Habitat, collaborating on topics such as urban regeneration and climate change. (SDG11, 13, 16)
Traditional Hydrological System: Painting (1665) by Johannes Vingboons of AyutthayaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Cultural Heritage Provides Well-Tested Resilience
The resilience of historic places validates the importance of traditional knowledge, quality of historic materials and the enduring nature of culture. Heritage places are both threatened by climate change and a resource in adaptation and mitigation for it. (SDG 4, 11, 13)
Saloum Delta, Senegal. Participants of the Connecting Practice project - Phase 3: field visit of World Heritage site of the Saloum. (2018) by Maureen PelletierICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Cultural Heritage Empowers Vulnerable Groups
Protecting the tangible and intangible cultural heritage means protecting associated communities like indigenous peoples, who maintain strong links with nature. Culture and heritage bring people together, fostering social cohesion and peace for all. (SDG 10, 11, 14, 15, 16)
Curetes Street in the ancient city of Ephesus (2019) by Arzu Temizsoy DumanICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Cultural Heritage is a Knowledge and Education Resource
Immeasurable knowledge accumulated over centuries and transmitted through generations is embodied in heritage sites and communities. Education that draws on cultural context and resources has more impact and empowers us through better understanding. (SDG 3, 4, 11, 16)
Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China (2019) by Maureen PelletierICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
People, Planet, Prosperity + Culture
World Heritage Sites help people realize that there is value in other cultures and instill a sense of unity among humankind. UNESCO’s WH and SD Policy provides guidance for the management of heritage sites with regard to society, economy, environment, and peace (SDG 11, 16)
#StandTogetherNow "ICOMOS calls for bolder action on sustainable development" (2019)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Partnerships in Action for the Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can only be achieved together in partnerships. ICOMOS thus contributes to multi-actor, multi-sector platforms within and outside the heritage sector, e.g. with UN NGO Major Group, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, UCLG, IUCN and ICCROM. (SDG 11, 17)
Examples of cultural heritage being integrated with sustainable development (E. Yildirim) (2020) by Mario Santana and Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Examples of Heritage Integrated with Sustainable Development
Cultural and natural heritage are connected in many heritage sites. The Culture Nature Journey Initiative promotes this connection. In Hawaii, the mantra for this initiative was "Care for our island earth". Ege explains examples of improved sustainability as a result of heritage.
More on ICOMOS and Sustainable Development
Credits to ICOMOS Canada and Carleton University
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