The Sydney Opera House – a modern heritage site’s response to climate change

Over the past three decades, the Sydney Opera House has successfully integrated climate action into its heritage management without compromising its tangible or intangible values. This study demonstrates that sustainable practices—such as governance-driven climate initiatives, community engagement through creative programming, and participatory risk planning—can both mitigate climate risks and enhance a site's cultural significance. By setting and achieving environmental benchmarks while respecting heritage constraints, the Opera House serves as a model for balancing conservation with modern sustainability challenges.

Matarese, L., & Bombonato, E. (2025). The Sydney Opera House – a modern heritage site’s response to climate change. Built Heritage, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43238-025-00185-0