Conservation Charities & Agencies combine forces to tackle the impact of climate change on the UK’s heritage

Conservation Charities & Agencies combine forces to tackle the impact of climate change on the UK’s heritage - National Trust

Seven UK organisations have announced a new partnership to help tackle the impact of climate change on historical sites and our cultural heritage, and to share expertise.

The new UK Heritage Adaptation Partnership will see stewards of historic sites across the country – Cadw, Department for Communities, English Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, Historic England, National Trust and National Trust for Scotland – pool research and expertise.

Working together, heritage organisations from across the four nations will explore critical issues in how our historic sites and collections can adapt to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate hazards such as extreme flooding and heat, building the resilience of our historic environment.

Dr Ingrid Samuel, Heritage & Placemaking Director at the National Trust said; “Until now heritage organisations have used different methods to address similar questions about understanding the risk presented by our changing climate. By working together we can look at putting in place a more consistent approach so that we make relevant comparisons and then adapt our approach as needed.”

Over the next two years, the group aims to:

Develop a consistent baseline of climate hazard metrics for the heritage sector
Create a shared understanding of site ‘vulnerability’
Develop an approach for assessing climate risk on heritage assets
Create a shared understanding of different adaptation options and pathways
Identify and invest in areas of research to develop understanding around the impacts of certain climate hazards on heritage assets
Communicate research and resources to the wider heritage sector and other relevant communities of interest