photo credit Rob McDougall

Climate Action

World Heritage UK's Climate Change working group is coordinating information and experiences on how individual sites are experiencing climate change and the work they are doing to adapt or mitigate the impact. This page and the Resources Page provide an area for sites to share best practice, case studies and information as we tackle this global phenomenon together

Climate Action

Our World Heritage Sites are at risk from Climate Change.

Climate change is threatening people, nature and heritage world-wide. In the UK both our natural and cultural World Heritage Sites (WHS) are facing growing risks from the impacts of climate change. Our World Heritage Sites need to adapt to changing weather patterns and global temperature rises.

UNESCO has identified climate change as a major threat to World Heritage. World Heritage UK (WHUK) is working with representatives of World Heritage Sites across the UK to work together to share experiences and learn from one another.

Examples of the impact at WHSs of climate change and case studies of what is being done to overcome these challenges are presented below.

To find out more about the work World Heritage UK is doing in this area contact WHUK Trustee Don Gobbett, don.gobbett@worldheritageuk.org

To read WHUK’s COP 26 statement, please click here.

Climate Action Posts

WHUK Climate Emergency Position Statement

World Heritage UK (WHUK) is an independent organisation representing the 33 UK World Heritage Sites. It does not directly manage…

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WHUK Climate Emergency Position Statement

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney WHS

‘Skara Brae was revealed by great storm in 1850, and had been protected by a sea wall since the early…

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The Heart of Neolithic Orkney WHS

Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey WHS

‘There is a deep relationship between the heritage and river; the world-class water gardens would not exist without the Skell…

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Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey WHS

Derwent Valley Mills WHS

‘Flooding along the River Derwent has always been problematic for the mill-owners in Derbyshire, but the severity and frequency has…

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Derwent Valley Mills WHS

Durham Castle & Cathedral WHS

‘The roof structure of our 12th century Cloister has been propped since 2016 due to critical structural concerns. The underlying…

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Durham Castle & Cathedral WHS

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh WHS

In late May 2021, heritage and climate experts from around the world met to discuss the threat climate change represents…

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Old and New Towns of Edinburgh WHS

Travel planning in Saltaire WHS – a case study

The Saltaire World Heritage Management Plan incorporates a Delivery Plan which includes an objective (4) to “Develop, promote and support…

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Travel planning in Saltaire WHS – a case study