Culture and Climate Change Report 2018
“Highlighting 14 cities’ inspiring cases where leaders prioritise climate in cultural initiatives, in ‘Culture and Climate Change’ report.”
“The cities profiled in the report are at the vanguard of a new cultural movement taking action and nurturing a regenerative cultural sector that will transform our cities into places at peace with the natural world.”
Alison Tickell, Founder – Julie’s Bicycle
The Purpose
Across the world the effects of climate change and the destruction of nature are generating an unprecedented call to action. Two pivotal UN reports on climate change and nature have catalysed engagement and public protest. Greta Thunberg’s school strike for climate action has now spread to 125 countries, calling for urgent action to address our planet’s health and all our futures. Climate change is an issue of global concern and people in positions of influence – politicians, investors, corporate business and city leaders – are being called on to act.
The Report
The report on Culture and Climate Change, produced with Julie’s Bicycle and influenced by C40, presents inspiring case studies from 14 of the Forum’s member cities of how city leaders are putting climate and the environment at the centre of their cultural ambitions. The report builds on the foundations set by the Culture and Climate Change Handbook, which highlighted creative and cultural responses to climate change and environmental sustainability in world cities.
The importance of this ambition and urgency to revitalise action cannot be underestimated. In October 2018, the IPCC called for “unprecedented changes” within the next 12 years in order to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees.
But these challenges cannot be solved by individual action alone – they are systemic issues which require systemic solutions. National, regional, and city governments all over the world are committing to targets to address both climate and ecological breakdown. Cities are increasingly recognising that culture has the potential to be a driver to address our climate emergency. Culture is not merely a reflection of the world around us, but also a provocation – a challenge to our norms and ideals, and a platform to express, share and shape our values.
The report looks at four thematic areas: creative programmes & campaigns; resources & support; partnerships & innovation; policy & strategy, and identifies key trends as well as future opportunities all cities can act upon.
“Cities across the globe are declaring that a climate and ecological emergency is upon us. Culture – our artists, curators, spaces and communities – are already amplifying calls to action. The cities profiled here are at the vanguard of a new cultural movement taking action and nurturing a regenerative cultural sector that will transform our cities into places at peace with the natural world.” – Alison Tickell, Founder – Julie’s Bicycle
Images Courtesy @ World Cities Culture Forum; Getty/Canva
