An Ecolabel for the World Heritage Brand? Developing a Climate Communication Recognition Scheme for Heritage Sites

A new Climate Communication Recognition Scheme (CCRS) for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Hanseatic Town of Visby, has been developed to leverage heritage's communicative power in mobilizing stakeholders around climate change. This scheme aims to increase climate awareness and encourage carbon management by assessing 50 sites across four dimensions: carbon footprint analysis, narrative potential, sustainability practices, and climate change impacts on heritage resources. The CCRS, titled 'Climate Footprints of Heritage Tourism,' serves as a tool for transnational climate governance, addressing gaps in international climate mitigation efforts while capitalizing on the branding value of World Heritage Sites amidst rising tourism pressures.

Lafrenz Samuels, K., & Platts, E. J. (2020). An Ecolabel for the World Heritage Brand? Developing a Climate Communication Recognition Scheme for Heritage Sites. Climate, 8(3), 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli8030038