The initiative aims to give organisations a place to celebrate how the sector creates change
A new website which celebrates cultures role in creating change has been launched ahead of a major environmental summit.
In collaboration with partners from around the globe, Museum Galleries Scotland (MGS) has unveiled the Culture at COP website with the Climate Heritage Network and Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
The arts, culture and heritage sector play a key role in achieving a climate resilient world, and the site aims to ensure organisations can play their part in this historic moment.
Culture at COP is an international events website that aims to showcase all COP26 - related art, culture and heritage events (in-person and virtual). The website will support those involved in tackling the climate emergency to engage with wider audiences and showcase their events in the lead up to the crucial COP26, taking place in November at Glasgow.
All culture, arts and heritage organisations are invited to register their climate events on the Culture at COP website. Access the website and submit climate related art, culture and heritage events online.
Lucy Casot, chief executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “There is immense power in the arts, culture and heritage sector to drive climate action, and support just transitions by communities towards low carbon and climate resilient pathways. These sectors have a key role in enhancing the understanding within communities about climate change and the urgency of climate action.
As part of our role in responding to the climate emergency we are pleased to have worked with international partners to create the Culture at COP website. It will highlight culture-based activities that will bring people together to take climate action.”
Ewan Hyslop, head of technical research and science at HES, and Europe co-chair of the Climate Heritage Network, said: “In this crucial year for climate action, we want to demonstrate the key role our cultural heritage has to play in tackling the climate emergency and supporting the goals of COP26.
“We want to harness the power of our cultural heritage to tell our climate story, engaging people with climate issues in a meaningful way and encouraging and inspiring positive and sustainable behaviour change.
“We’re delighted to support the development of the Culture at the COP website which will provide an important platform to do this, bringing together organisations from across the arts, culture and heritage sectors and showcasing the fantastic range of events and activities that will be taking place throughout the runup and duration of the COP.”
Partners on the Culture at COP website include the California Office of Historic Preservation, the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, Creative Carbon Scotland, Historical Environment Scotland, Icon, the International Council of Monuments and Sites and Julie’s Bicycle.
The site aims to bring people together to share the events and ideas needed to transition to an environmentally sustainable future and communicate the ambition, relevance and influence of culture and heritage to tackling climate change.
