TY - JOUR
T1 - Values, Climate Change and Community - Results and lessons learned from the application of the Climate Vulnerability Index in Tanzania and Nigeria
AU - Megarry, W.
AU - Downes, J.
AU - Bugumba, R.
AU - Day, J. C.
AU - Mbogelah, M.
AU - Odiaua, I.
AU - Heron, S. F.
N1 - Funding Information:
The CVI is also a science-driven process, drawing upon the best available historical data and downscaled climate model projections to assess the potential impacts to site attributes and their corresponding values. A lack of climate research in Africa reflects an underlying and longstanding funding bias which has favoured wealthier countries [ 10 ]. This means that obtaining up-to-date and accurate climate data can be a challenge; however, the project adopted a precautionary approach, working with local climate and meteorological agencies to achieve its objectives based on a combination of data from national and international sources. Agencies were paid for their inputs and individual contributors were included as authors in reports (Heron at al. 2021, Day et al. 2021). They were provided with terms of reference requesting a high-level summary of climate data based on metrics outlined in Table 1 [ 21,22 ]. Where requested, support was provided by the project team. This collaboration with climate agencies also served to build connections between heritage professionals and climate bodies, fulfilling the capacity building goals of the project.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Arts and Humanities Research Council [Grant Number: AH/V006568/1 ].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
PY - 2024/2/3
Y1 - 2024/2/3
N2 - Climate change is a major threat to global heritage and many sites are already experiencing impacts from climate change and related hazards. Recent studies have indicated that this challenge is especially acute in the African continent. Climate vulnerability assessment is increasingly a key tool in periodic reporting and ongoing site management and an essential first step in climate adaptation planning. This paper presents results from climate vulnerability assessments undertaken at two UNESCO World Heritage (WH) properties: The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara in Tanzania; and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Nigeria. These assessments each applied a version of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), a values-based, science-driven and community-focused technique. A values mapping exercise identified key heritage and socioeconomic values, including key attributes associated with the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WH property. Downscaled climate projections were used to identify key hazards over selected emissions scenarios and timeframes, before weighing potential impacts against local adaptive capacities. Based on the timeframes and emissions scenarios, the project found OUV Vulnerability was Moderate at the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara and Low at the Sukur Cultural Landscape, whilst the Community Vulnerability was Low for both properties. The paper will conclude with some wider observations on the application of climate vulnerability assessments in an African context and a focus on lessons learned.
AB - Climate change is a major threat to global heritage and many sites are already experiencing impacts from climate change and related hazards. Recent studies have indicated that this challenge is especially acute in the African continent. Climate vulnerability assessment is increasingly a key tool in periodic reporting and ongoing site management and an essential first step in climate adaptation planning. This paper presents results from climate vulnerability assessments undertaken at two UNESCO World Heritage (WH) properties: The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara in Tanzania; and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Nigeria. These assessments each applied a version of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), a values-based, science-driven and community-focused technique. A values mapping exercise identified key heritage and socioeconomic values, including key attributes associated with the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the WH property. Downscaled climate projections were used to identify key hazards over selected emissions scenarios and timeframes, before weighing potential impacts against local adaptive capacities. Based on the timeframes and emissions scenarios, the project found OUV Vulnerability was Moderate at the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara and Low at the Sukur Cultural Landscape, whilst the Community Vulnerability was Low for both properties. The paper will conclude with some wider observations on the application of climate vulnerability assessments in an African context and a focus on lessons learned.
KW - Africa
KW - Climate change
KW - Climate vulnerability assessment
KW - Cultural heritage
KW - CVI
KW - World heritage
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U2 - 10.1016/j.culher.2024.01.007
DO - 10.1016/j.culher.2024.01.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85184077553
SN - 1296-2074
VL - 66
SP - 562
EP - 571
JO - Journal of Cultural Heritage
JF - Journal of Cultural Heritage
ER -