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Bamboo for Carbon Neutrality in Rural Areas: New Pathways for Carbon Reduction and Low Carbon Development in World Heritage Sites
In recent years, the increasing frequency of extreme weather, natural disasters and other negative impacts caused by climate change have not only emerged as prominent challenges affecting the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage sites, but will also increase vulnerability and exacerbate other stresses including, but not limited to, pollution, conflict over resources, urbanization, habitat fragmentation, loss of intangible cultural heritage and the impacts of unplanned or poorly managed tourism. While climate change poses a threat to World Heritage sites, it should also be recognized that World Heritage sites provide resources such as forests, bamboo, oceans and living heritage that inspire new approaches in adapting to climate change.
On the occasion of the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP27) that was opened on 6 November in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the webinar on the theme of “Bamboo for Carbon Neutrality in Rural Areas: New Pathways for Carbon Reduction and Low Carbon Development in World Heritage Sites” jointly organized by UNESCO Beijing Office and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) took place on 8 November 2022 within the framework of the second Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC, ). This session was also the third webinar of UNESCO Beijing Office’s .
As UNESCO’s Strategy for Action on Climate Change 2018-2021 pointed out, it is important to draw on cultural heritage and cultural diversity to find appropriate responses to climate change. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention Concerning for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. UNESCO’s “The Next 50” initiative encourages the global society to reflect on the potential of World Heritage as a source of humanity, resilience and innovation.
As one of the world’s largest economies, China’s “Dual Carbon Goals” is a key to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Home to 56 World Heritage sites and abundant natural and cultural heritage, China can actively leverage its advantages in heritage resources to promote low-carbon development.
The webinar was moderated by Ms. Duong Bich Hanh, Programme Specialist for Culture at UNESCO Beijing Office, and Prof. ZHANG Chaozhi, Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Tourism at UNESCO Designated Sites, Sun Yat-sen University. The webinar explored the role of World Heritage in mitigating climate change and new pathways of attaining the “Dual Carbon Goals” (i.e. China’s goal of carbon peaking by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060), the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by fostering an environment for low-carbon and sustainable development, low-carbon cultural tourism, heritage education and value communication, so as to achieve the vision of "harmonious coexistence of human and nature".
In the past years, China has supported the measurement and monitoring of carbon sinks in forests, grasslands, wetlands, etc., encouraged the development of eligible carbon sink projects into voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, and explored ecological compensation mechanisms that highlight the value of carbon sinks. Currently, many natural sites in China, including the Giant Panda National Park, Huangshan, Jiuzhaigou, and Chishui of China Danxia World Heritage site, have undertaken substantial efforts in low-carbon and sustainable development in and around protected areas and World Heritage site.
In “The Next 50”, UNESCO and its partners look forward to making more substantial contributions towards achieving the “Dual Carbon Goals” and the goals envisioned in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through pilot activities on low-carbon development and carbon reduction in and around World Heritage sites, research on heritage forest carbon sinks, and awareness raising and visibility campaigns on the “UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”.
The “New Horizons of Heritage Conservation” webinar series was launched within the framework of UNESCO - China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund “Conservation and Management of World Heritage Sites in China” Project Phase IV (2021-2024) in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The series aims to facilitate forward-looking dialogues and exchanges on heritage conservation, sustainable development, climate change and other relevant topics, as well as to provide World Heritage site managers, living heritage bearers, local communities, cultural experts and practitioners, youth and the civil society with up-to-date knowledge and good practices in the context of China.
