UNESCO

The Culture Sector mobilized support to
help World Heritage sites cope with climate
change, and to show how they represent
both an asset to be protected and a resource
to strengthen the ability of communities to
resist, absorb and recover from its effects.
UNESCO as a whole worked to ensure that all
programmes and initiatives were carried out
in a way that respected cultural diversity, and
took full account of equality issues, including
gender equality. And at the start of the UN
International Decade for People of African
Descent (2015–2024), it focused particularly
on the needs and experiences of Africa.
In preparation for COP21
As part of the preparations for COP21, a
conference on the links between biodiversity
and climate change was organized on 9–10
February on the initiative of UNESCO and
two French NGOs, Association Humanité et
biodiversité and the Institut Inspire. ‘Assises
du Vivant 2015 – Biodiversity and Climate
Change in Interaction: Creating new life
possibilities’ gave an opportunity to scientists
and academics, as well as representatives
of civil society, the private sector and the
arts, to explore new constructive approaches
to climate change by sharing their views
and experiences. They examined a number
of initiatives around the world that show
how it is possible to cope with the rhythm
of renewal of ecosystems, and that using
biodiversity is not necessarily inconsistent
with conservation. The debates focused
on three themes: Rethinking conservation:
towards ‘no regrets’ strategies; Developing
ecological solidarity and environmental
justice: teaming up with the rest of the
living world; and Doing business differently:
articulating performance and resilience.
Responding to the UN Secretary-General's
call for a more active engagement of the
private sector, CEOs from around the world
gathered at UNESCO to present the business
solutions to fight climate change during the
Business and Climate Summit (20-21 May 2015).
A four-day scientific conference on
‘Our Common Future under Climate Change’
(7–10 July) provided the largest forum for
the scientific community ahead of COP21.
It was attended by participants from
100 countries, and was designed to shed
light on climate negotiations by providing
a strong knowledge base which should
help ensure that political decisions are
built on a sound understanding of climate
change. Organized under the umbrella of
the International Council for Science (ICSU),
Future Earth, UNESCO and major French
research institutions, with the support of
the French Government, it brought together
more than 2,200 leading climate experts to
share the latest science on climate change
United Nations
Cultural Organization
UNESCO,
Climate Change
COP
and
21
Earth to Paris, a
coalition of partners
helping to drive
awareness about the
connection between
people and planet,
and the need for
strong climate action,
hosted the highimpact,
live-streamed
summit ‘Earth To
Paris: Le Hub’ on
7–8 December during
COP21. UNESCO
Director-General Irina
Bokova, the Mayor of
Paris and the heads
of UNICEF, UNDP and
leading environmental
activists opened
the event.
UNESCO’s main
communication
material at COP21.
127
© UNESCO/Pilar Chiang-Joo