World Heritage Sites are under threat of severe impacts due to climate change. This Perspective discusses three facets of management-integrating pluralistic values, adopting holistic methods and ensuring Indigenous leadership-that can assist the conservation of sites. World Heritage Sites are facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, posing a threat to their natural and cultural values. In this Perspective, we discuss the impacts of climate change on World Heritage Sites and describe how a systematic pivot to strengthen consideration of three aspects of management can assist conservation of sites. This systematic pivot responds to social and environmental dynamics and requires reinforcing adaptation pathways through (1) integrating pluralistic, evolving values due to climate change; (2) developing and applying holistic methods to recognize connections between cultural and natural values; and (3) ensuring Indigenous leadership, perspectives and pathways.
Lin, BB; Melbourne-Thomas, J; Hopkins, M; Dunlop, M; Macgregor, NA; Merson, SD; Vertigan, C; Hill, R
Holistic climate change adaptation for World Heritage
Nature Sustainability