An international platform to highlight COP26-related arts, culture and heritage events, Culture at COP aims to support all initiatives engaging wider audiences with issues pertaining to the climate crisis.

With Glasgow set to host the world’s policy makers and environmental experts in November, organisations working within Scotland’s cultural and heritage sectors are taking a leading role in driving this new resource forward.

Glasgow will host the COP26 climate summit between 31 October and 12 November 2021 © Craig McKay

“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,” notes Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland.

“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.”

Participants revealed for Scotland’s Climate Beacons COP26 public engagement programme

Organisations from around the world to have pledged their backing to the initiative include Julie’s Bicycle, the California Office of Historic Preservation, and the International Council of Monuments and Sites.

Ewan Hyslop, Historic Environment Scotland’s head of technical research and science, who also serves as Europe co-chair of the Climate Heritage Network, adds that the coalition behind Culture at COP wants 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”.


All cultural organisations are invited to register climate events here.

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