COP28 took steps toward safeguarding cultural heritage from climate change

The outcomes of the latest international climate negotiations at COP28 in Dubai in December, while taking some important steps forward, fell far short of what is needed to avert climate catastrophe. Despite formally recognizing for the first time that a transition from fossil fuel use is necessary, nations failed to agree to the fast, fair, and funded phase-out that scientists are calling for. One big positive from COP28 was the creation of a Loss and Damage fund to address climate impacts in the Global South. However, most developed nations including the U.S. made only minimal, almost derisory, financial commitments to it. And one of the few other glimmers of hope that emerged from COP28 was the increasing recognition of the importance of cultural heritage and cultural rights in climate action and responses. There are three ways in which this issue advanced substantially at…