New Guidance Launched to ensure protecting World Heritage during the Renewable Energy Transition

UNESCO has launched the Guidance on Wind and Solar Energy Projects in a World Heritage Context, which is the updated and extended version of an existing online Guidance which was focusing first on wind energy. The new edition continues to offer practical tools and provides advice to align renewable energy development with the protection of World Heritage properties, thus supporting States Parties in their endeavour to combat climate change.

The online Guidance compiles relevant information both for World Heritage stakeholders and renewable energy project proponents in a user-friendly platform, with emphasis on stakeholder collaboration, intersectoral dialogue, as well as comprehensive impact assessments, and, it aims to foster informed, proactive decision-making. Its ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the majority of wind and solar energy projects are feasible even in a World Heritage context, if planning and implementation is carried out in a way that it ensures the protection and preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage sites.

Developed with the support of Wallonia (Belgium), the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and co-published with the Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Committee, the Guidance provides a critical tool to help ensure renewable energy growth does not come at the cost of our shared cultural and natural heritage.

Explore the Guidance Here