Abu dhabi: The Ministry of Culture has announced the findings of its landmark national study titled 'Rooted in Resilience: How Culture Shapes Climate Resilience in the UAE', co-commissioned with the British Council. The study was unveiled during the Ministry's participation at a high-level roundtable discussion held in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and attended by key stakeholders from the culture and climate sectors. The Ministry of Culture was represented by Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary for the National Identity and Arts Sector, who emphasized the untapped potential of culture in driving transformative climate action.
According to Emirates News Agency, Her Excellency Shatha Al Mulla highlighted the significance of integrating culture into national climate strategies, including mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building. She noted that the UAE, with its rich traditions and evolving creative sector, aims to embed cultural considerations within its climate strategies. The UAE-led COP28 marked a significant milestone by recognizing cultural heritage as a key indicator of the Global Goal for Adaptation. Furthermore, the founding of the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action, co-led by UAE and Brazil, underscores a commitment to integrating culture into international climate policies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The baseline study represents the first national assessment of the cultural sector's contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation in the UAE. It highlights the innovative cultural landscape in the UAE, where cultural institutions are already leading initiatives that contribute to a sustainable future. However, the study also calls for greater coordination, capacity-building, and policy alignment to unlock culture's full potential in climate action.
The study found that while culture-based climate action is present across the sector, it remains largely uncoordinated. A majority of respondents, 76 per cent, reported engaging in climate-related work, yet only 20 per cent have a clear internal definition of such work or the skills needed to deliver it effectively. Traditional knowledge, such as falaj systems and vernacular architecture, is under threat due to urbanization and the loss of ancestral knowledge.
Policy engagement within the culture sector is primarily high-level but siloed. Although referenced in NDC 3.0 and Net Zero frameworks, mandates and cross-ministerial coordination mechanisms are limited. The study also revealed weaknesses in capacity, inclusion, and measurement, with only 31 per cent of institutions tracking culture-based climate action outcomes beyond basic metrics. Youth, migrants, and community-based practitioners remain underrepresented.
Despite these challenges, the study concluded that the cultural sector holds strong potential to drive behavioral change. Festivals, exhibitions, theatre, and music initiatives, alongside public education programs, can effectively promote sustainability through relatable and impactful examples.