ICOM plays a vital role in advocating for culture-based climate action in international forums. As a Knowledge Partner within the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action*, we position museums as key players in achieving global climate goals.
*The Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action is an informal coalition of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Member States aimed at building political momentum to integrate culture in international climate policy.
Our strategy aims to align and unite efforts to accelerate climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, highlighting the role of ICOM and museums in this work.
What We Do on the International Level
What have we accomplished so far?
ICOM’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action was formalised through the “Resolution on Sustainability and the Implementation of Agenda 2030: Transforming Our World,” adopted by the ICOM General Assembly in Kyoto (2019). These efforts align with the cross-cutting priorities of the Strategic Plan 2022-2028, focusing on Global Positioning and Climate Action.
The outputs since the implementation of the Strategic Plan in the Climate Action focus area are summarised below:
- ICOM conducted a carbon footprint analysis in 2022, which was featured in the 2022 Annual report and is looking to continue measuring its impact.
- ICOM published a Museum International entitled “Museum Sustainabilities” in 2024 Museum International, vol. 75, Issue 1-4 (2024)
- ICOM co-organised events at COP27, COP28 and Mondiacult (2022)
- Leading up to COP28, ICOM supported the Joint Work Decision on Culture and Climate Action in cooperation with the Climate Heritage Network. This process aims to integrate culture into climate policy and harness the culture sector’s contribution to climate action.
- In 2022, ICOM joined the Climate Heritage Network (CHN) Steering Committee to enhance collaboration and promote museums’ role in climate action.
- The majority of ICOM International Committees have taken concrete steps and initiatives to integrate environmental concerns in museum practice in their respective fields. National Committees have also shown leadership in climate action and conducted innovative partnerships with museums, civil society and national governments.
- In 2024, the ICOM Executive Board approved the creation of a new International Committee—ICOM SUSTAIN—to support museums in building sustainable and resilient futures. The committee advances ICOM’s Action Plan on Sustainability by promoting and supporting sustainable development initiatives across ICOM and its members, aligned with the 5Ps of the UN 2030 Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. ICOM SUSTAIN builds on the work of the former Sustainability Working Group (2018–2022), expanding efforts to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement into the museum sector. Representing ICOM, SUSTAIN actively participates in global networks such as Culture for the Planet, G20, COP30, Mondiacult, and the Climate Heritage Network Africa, contributing to international climate action and sustainable development dialogues. According to its bylaws, SUSTAIN promotes knowledge exchange on sustainable museum practices and public engagement with climate change, supporting Article 12 of the Paris Agreement (Action for Climate Empowerment). Its strategic plan highlights Goal 13 (Climate Action) under Focus Area 3: Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing, reaffirming its commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
What are our current initiatives?
ICOM is currently spearheading the ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums, the first global award that recognises exemplary museum practices in sustainable development across five categories: people, planet, peace, prosperity, and partnership. It aims to highlight and promote global initiatives through an inclusive, phased process, culminating in an award ceremony at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai in November 2025.
This project also acts as a data collection exercise aiming to illustrate the contributions of museums to the Sustainable Development Goals, and in the context of our culture-based climate action, their advancements towards climate mitigation and adaptation.
More than 150 applications were received from 60 countries by the November 2024 deadline. ICOM has assembled a jury composed of museum and sustainable development experts, who will deliberate and decide on a short list, 5 finalists and 1 winner, to be announced at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai (11-17 November 2025).
What high-level advocacy efforts are underway?
ICOM is currently advocating at the international level to position museums in climate action in collaboration with experts from the network in the following ways:
- ICOM is an active civil society contributor to the G20 Culture Working Group, promoting the role of museums in sustainable futures. The South African Presidency has identified Culture and Climate Action as its fourth priority of the CWG and ICOM is contributing to the discussions and negotiations of the declaration.
- ICOM is contributing to the discussions focused on the priority domain ‘Culture and Climate Action identified for the 2025 Mondiacult Conference on cultural policies.
- In the lead to COP30, ICOM is working with the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action to leverage culture in climate negotiations.
What We Can Do at the National Level
This section outlines actionable steps for national advocacy.
What You Can Do
Learn how you can get involved and make a difference.
Development of This Template
This template was developed through collaboration with the Group of Friends and ICOM experts, focusing on building knowledge and capacity in synergy.
7 STEPS TO ADVOCATE ON NATIONAL LEVELS
- Stay Informed: Read our newsletters and Call for Action to keep updated on relevant information.
- Respond to the Call for Action: Engage with the call related to culture-based climate initiatives.
- Discuss at the National Committee Board Level: Create awareness and strategise on advocacy efforts.
- Gather Feedback and Support from ICOM Members: Encourage collaboration among members for greater impact.
- Get in Touch with Political Decision-Makers: Reach out to the Ministries of Culture, Environment, and Foreign Affairs in your country. a. Send official letters (a proposed letter template can be provided); b. Schedule meetings; c. Advocate for culture-based climate action (a proposed list of messages is attached)
- Share your meeting: During the meeting, capture a group photo with the ministerial representatives and share it online along with the key messages delivered. Make sure to tag relevant accounts.
- Track and Measure the Impact of Your Efforts: Monitor your activities and share the results with ICOM.
By following these steps, ICOM can effectively advocate for culture-based climate action at both the national and international levels.
Thank you for your collaboration.
Key Messages
- Created in 1946, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is an international organisation of museums and museum professionals, and its mission is to establish professional and ethical standards and raise public cultural awareness through global networks and co-operation programmes together with its 60,000 dedicated members in nearly 140 countries and territories.
- Through its Strategic Plan 2022-2028, ICOM has prioritised the role of museums in fostering environmental awareness and advocating for their inclusion in global climate policy frameworks.
- Since 2023, ICOM has been a knowledge partner within the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action, an informal coalition of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Member States aimed at building political momentum for Culture-Based climate action.
- In their role to promote education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation, museums are key players in Action for Climate Empowerment.
- ICOM is dedicated to advancing climate justice through a globally inclusive approach. We prioritise enhancing support for museum professionals and institutions in underserved regions, striving to diversify and rebalance our network to ensure a more equitable representation. By integrating a broader range of voices and perspectives, we aim to foster a more inclusive and balanced approach to our climate action.
Leveraging Culture-Based climate action at COP30
- In June 2025, the Brazilian presidency adopted the COP30 Action Agenda, an instrument organized in six thematic axes to pursue the goals of the Paris Agreement.
- Culture, Cultural Heritage and Climate Action has been identified as Objective 19 out of the 30 objectives, under Thematic Axis 5: Fostering Human and Social Development.
- This marks a solid recognition of the culture sector in enabling Parties to maintain their commitment under the Paris Agreement. However, our advocacy before COP30 is crucial for negotiators at COP30 to be aware of the power of culture sector to mobilise action.
- It is important to recall that the integration of culture and cultural heritage climate solutions into climate change policy aligns with the efforts of the Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities Platform (LCIPP) to amplify the voices and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- The culture and cultural heritage sectors are key players of the ACE (Action for Climate Empowerment) agenda aimed at implementing work under Article 6 of the UNFCCC Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, accelerate climate-positive behavior change, and foster systemic transformation.
- We advocate for the inclusion of culture- and cultural heritage-based climate actions in climate commitments, primarily, but not limited to, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through meaningful cross-sector alliances between culture and climate sectors and engagement of stakeholders across society (from Indigenous Peoples and local communities to the private sector, and civil society).
- The need to strengthen science-based, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge-based evidence on the culture and climate change nexus, notably in connection with policy areas including Disaster Risk Reduction, social and regional development, food security, education, etc. is crucial for the advancement of our cause.
- Support for the decarbonization of the creative economy sector, which accounts for 3.1% of global GDP and 6.2% of all employment (according to UNESCO) is crucial. This includes policies, regulatory frameworks and financing mechanisms to support sustainable technologies, circular economy models, and low-carbon production processes, promoting sustainable production in the sector.
Join our webinar
We invite the National Committee representatives to join our webinar where we will provide more information on the campaign. This session will introduce the advocacy toolkit, outline the 7-step action plan, and offer practical guidance on engaging political stakeholders, using ICOM’s templates and messaging resources. The webinar will be conducted in English.
Information and sources:
COP30 – https://cop30.br/en
Group of Friends – https://www.gov.br/cultura/pt-br/assuntos/acoes-internacionais/grupo-de-amigos-da-acao-climatica
We make tomorrow campaign: https://wemaketomorrow.global/
