As governments operationalise the new rules necessary to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which mandates a new global carbon market system for countries, it remains unclear whether adequate safeguards are in place to prevent adverse environmental or social consequences of the mechanisms, rules and procedures being developed. Carbon markets should include strong environmental and social safeguards that protect Indigenous Peoples and culture and heritage.  Actors in arts, culture and heritage sectors can promote the transnational solidarity required to protect vulnerable people and places.

While Article 6 focuses generally on mechanisms for capping and trading emissions reductions, a key area for influence by cultural heritage sphere is in debates around Article 6.8, Non-Market Approaches. These tend to focus on tax/fiscal policy or regulatory schemes targeting sources of GHG emissions, and investment/subsidy programmes for climate action. There is a strong opportunity to gather data and promote transformative cultural heritage-based initiatives: for instance, moratoriums on building demolition and/or mandated building deconstruction, tax credits for historic preservation, or subsidies for agroecology farming systems.

Culture and heritage engagement with Article 6 will be framed by several overarching questions. How can local communities be nurtured, not destroyed? How can growth and progress coexist? The cultural and heritage fields are devoted to understanding both the tangible and intangible dimensions of human interaction and expression. The monumental challenges of climate change and global urbanization must appreciate and respect these cultural and heritage dimensions. 

Climate Heritage Policy Priorities: Support the protection of Indigenous Peoples in the Article 6 rulebook discussions on human rights and incorporate culture heritage in the ongoing conversation about safeguarding into environmental integrity principles, beginning with the San Jose Principles for High Ambition and Integrity in International Carbon Markets. Engage with new Glasgow Committee on Non-Market Approaches launched at COP 26 to promote culture-based opportunities for non-market-based cooperation to implement mitigation and adaptation actions in NDCs).

Incorporating cultural heritage and cultural rights safeguarding into environmental integrity principles and promoting culture-based strategies as non-market approaches.