Renewable Energy Transition and World Heritage

Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time, and with over 30 programs in the sciences, education, culture and communication sector, UNESCO is actively contributing to create knowledge, educate and communicate about climate change, and is working to understand the ethical implications for present and future generations. UNESCO has also been at the forefront of exploring and managing the impacts of climate change on World Heritage, and supported specific World Heritage sites on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.

The promotion of renewable energy production is of great importance, as this technology is among the key solutions for the mitigation of climate change and the promotion of sustainable development. The number of renewable energy installation projects (such as wind farms, biomass production, hydropower and photovoltaic power plants) in all the regions of the World Heritage Convention is currently rising. It however, results in considerable challenges for the conservation and management of World Heritage properties. Impacts can even be expected when such projects are planned in the wider setting of World Heritage properties and their buffer zones. The major issue is the presumed negative impact of the renewable energy infrastructure on the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties.

The transition to the utilization of renewable energy is an important mean to combat climate change. UNESCO World Heritage Centre wishes to take a proactive role in supporting States Parties and all stakeholders in this important step by conveying a message of solidarity and cooperation, but also by ensuring the protection and preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties. In line with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals 7, 13 and 11.4, the World Heritage Centre believes that protection of the cultural and natural World Heritage and renewable energy projects could go hand in hand if these projects are planned, evaluated and implemented in ways that assure the safeguarding of the Oustanding Unviersal Value of World Heritage properties.

In this context, the World Heritage Centre launched an initiative to develop, in collaboration with States Parties in the Europe and North America region of the World Heritage Convention effective guidance tools, providing methods to avoid and mitigate the possible negative impacts of renewable energy projects on the OUV of the World Heritage properties.

As a first step, the Guidance for Wind Energy Projects in a World Heritage Context has been developed with the support of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust, and is available (in English and French) since March 2023 as an online tool on UNESCO’s website. The wind energy guidance aims to assist States Parties to the World heritage Convention, increase public awareness and effectively contribute to knowledge dissemination. The content targets an expanding audience, comprising World Heritage stakeholders, decision makers at national, regional and local levels, as well as project proponents (firms and companies in the energy industry) in understanding the interest of World Heritage protection.

Access the Wind Energy Guidance

The World Heritage Centre is currently working on the next step to extend the guidance to solar energy projects.

The Renewable Energy Transition and World Heritage project aims to contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 7Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage

Goal 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts