Heritage + Climate Symposium

Aligning Heritage Protection & Climate Action

Jointly organised by the Office of Public Works (OPW), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and ICOMOS Ireland, the symposium highlights Ireland’s role in advancing practical responses to climate change while protecting cultural heritage.

Taking place during Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event reflects the official presidency theme, "Ní neart go cur le chéile – Strength with unity," by fostering European solidarity against the climate crisis. This Heritage + Climate Symposium is an Associated Presidency Event as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

The Heritage + Climate Symposium provides a platform for interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing with our European counterparts. Through the development of recent government policies, plans, guidance and training, it demonstrates that heritage conservation and climate action objectives can align and be mutually beneficial. It also argues that stronger co-ordination across the heritage sector is essential to safeguard our past and secure a sustainable future.

The symposium is taking place on Tuesday, 15 September.

Award winning OPW initiative to feature at Heritage and Climate Action Symposium and Europa Nostra Award 2026 Presentation