Why Culture must be at the heart of climate decision-making?

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Why Culture must be at the heart of climate decision-making?

This article was originally published by Nikkei Asia on December 7, 2024 and has been republished here.

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As the curtain fell on the COP29 climate conference in the Azeri capital of Baku, an essential force in addressing the climate crisis remained on the margins: the transformative power of culture.

Despite growing recognition, culture remains sidelined, viewed as a soft issue compared to carbon budgets and finance mechanisms. This perception is not only misguided; it is dangerous.

Some critics say the United Nations climate talks are "no longer fit for purpose," but I see them differently. They are arenas where power walks the corridors, and change-makers -- especially those from the Global South -- gain rare access to decision-makers. These spaces weave cultural narratives and geo-political concerns into the framework of climate action.

Culture is the beating heart of resilience, connecting us through stories, traditions and creative expressions. Culture is often reduced to heritage sites or museum artifacts. While these are important, culture is also the song of resistance sung by a community under siege or the poem that transforms despair into hope.

For communities like mine in the Himalayan Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir, culture is survival. It is how we make sense of our world, heal our wounds and bridge generations. When glaciers melt or rivers dry, it is not just livelihoods at stake but identities, languages, oral wisdom and ways of knowing that risk being lost. This was recently underscored by the historic decision at COP16 in Colombia to protect biodiversity by centring Indigenous knowledge - a recognition of the critical role such wisdom plays in crafting sustainable solutions. At climate conferences, artists and indigenous delegations show how culture conveys the urgency of the climate crisis in ways data cannot; it inspires, mobilizes and heals.

Recognizing this potential, last year's COP28 made breakthroughs toward institutionalizing culture's role in climate action. Spearheaded by Brazil and the UAE, the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA) laid a strong foundation. This year, COP29 showed that formal recognition of culture still requires significant work. The GFCBCA is a promising start, but without a formal work program under the convention framework, its impact will remain limited.

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The second high-level ministerial dialogue on culture-based climate action at COP29 brought together multiple culture ministries and prominent civil society members such as Alison Tickell of Julie's Bicycle, Andrew Potts of Climate Heritage and Jordanian Princess Dana Firas, a steadfast advocate of the cause. Addressing the dialogue, Princess Dana emphasized that culture is not an afterthought; it is essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

While COP29 saw important milestones, including initiatives like Azerbaijan's Culture for Climate (C4C), it did not secure the formal recognition of culture in climate policy necessary for systemic change. COP29 also fell short of fully integrating culture into the finance agenda, despite the transformative potential of the creative economy, one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. Projected to contribute up to 10% of global GDP by 2030, this dynamic sector empowers Global South communities to develop culturally rooted solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

This offers policymakers a chance to align the creative economy with the climate finance agenda. Investing in culture-based solutions is not just an ethical imperative but an economic opportunity. The newly established Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) Film and TV Committee further exemplifies how creative industries are already driving climate conversations, reinforcing the untapped potential of the cultural sector to lead climate adaptation and resilience efforts. However, funding for cultural initiatives is scarce, and measurable frameworks to evaluate their effectiveness are virtually nonexistent.

A critical mechanism to bridge these systemic gaps is the Global Call to Action, which brings together cultural practitioners, policymakers and communities to advocate for culture's integration into climate action. Set to relaunch in 2025 under Alison Tickell's leadership, the initiative aims to create a global movement that ensures culture is not sidelined but central to climate solutions. Without culture, climate policies risk being soulless technical exercises that fail to resonate with the people they aim to protect. Culture can turn climate action from a checklist into a movement. For communities like mine in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region, it can mean the difference between survival and erasure.

As the world turns its eyes to next year's COP30 in Brazil, the upcoming mid-year meetings in Bonn (SB62) will serve as a pivotal moment to lay the groundwork. These discussions are crucial for ensuring that COP30 becomes a milestone, addressing the systemic culture gap that has hindered climate action for too long.

The Amazon will be both a symbol and a stage for the next phase of climate negotiations. Brazil has a unique opportunity to lead by example by integrating culture into its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and formalizing a culture-based work program within the COP framework. Brazil could also appoint a sixth high-level champion for culture, showcasing how cultural policies drive meaningful and inclusive solutions.

Bridging these gaps is vital for culture to become a cornerstone of climate action. Without decisive action at COP30, the systemic culture gap is at risk of persisting, despite the event being expected to showcase the richest cultural engagement in COP history. If you are an institution, cultural practitioner or individual who shares this cause, joining the Global Call is a simple but important first step.

The climate fight cannot rely on economics and science alone -- culture must take its place at the heart of decision-making. Climate justice is cultural justice. By safeguarding ecosystems, traditions, and identities, we not only honor the past but create a blueprint for a resilient and equitable future.

Let COP30 be the moment we turn culture's potential into lasting action, ensuring that no story, tradition or community is left behind in the fight for a just future.