NICHE 2

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Understanding climate change impacts on ICH

Introduction – Why climate change matters for ICHClick to read

	Climate strongly influences the environments where cultural practices exist
	As ecosystems shift, cultural practices lose stable environmental reference points
	Changing landscapes reshape social life and community structures
	Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing resilience

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Climate drivers affecting intangible cultural practicesClick to read

	Environmental changes disrupt long-established ecological signals
	Community planning and social cohesion are affected
	Rituals lose meaning when natural timing becomes unreliable
	These disruptions threaten the continuity of cultural identity

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Climate change impacts on ICH domainsClick to read

Rituals and social practices lose their environmental grounding	Oral traditions become misaligned with ecological reality
Crafts decline as materials become scarce or unavailable	Food heritage shifts under new ecological pressures

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Intergenerational transmission of ICH under climate stressClick to read

	Migration separates youth from cultural learning environments Climate impacts force many families to relocate for safety, employment or basic survival. When young people leave their communities, they lose everyday access to elders and environments where traditional knowledge is normally observed, practiced and transmitted.
	Elders become isolated as knowledge bearers decline Older practitioners often remain in deteriorating environments where cultural practices were historically embedded. Without apprentices or regular contact with younger generations, their knowledge becomes at risk of disappearing.
	Economic instability reduces time for cultural practice Families affected by disrupted livelihoods prioritize income-generating activities over cultural participation. Practices that require extended training, seasonal commitment or regular community involvement are often the first to decline.
	Fragmented communities lose shared cultural memory As people disperse or focus on meeting basic needs, opportunities for communal gatherings and collective reaffirmation of heritage decrease. With weaker participation and fewer shared experiences, the social structures that sustain ICH are rapidly eroded.

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Economic disruptions and heritage declineClick to read

Material scarcity limits the continuity of craft traditions	Reduced time and space for cultural dedication
Market pressures reshape cultural expression	Livelihood systems linked to heritage are under severe pressure

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Global case studies of climate impacts on ICHClick to read

	Mediterranean fishing cultures face ecological disruption Warmer waters alter fish migration routes, disrupting long-standing knowledge systems. Traditional fishing gear becomes less effective, and rituals linked to seasonal harvests lose their relevance as ecological conditions shift.
	Alpine winter traditions are destabilised by lack of snow Festivals and seasonal events traditionally aligned with the first snowfall or winter transitions are increasingly cancelled or rescheduled. These changes weaken cultural coherence and reduce opportunities for community participation.
	Arctic communities experience loss of environmental predictability Inuit ice-reading knowledge becomes less reliable as sea ice behaves unpredictably. This affects safety, cultural identity and reduces community confidence in long-established traditional knowledge.
	Pacific Island cultures lose ancestral ceremonial grounds Rising sea levels force the relocation of ritual sites and, in some cases, entire villages. As communities adapt to new environments, cultural practices must be reshaped or reinvented in unfamiliar landscapes.

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Summary of Unit 1Click to read

1. Climate change reshapes the environmental foundations of ICH

Loss of ecological predictability destabilises rituals, knowledge, and practices rooted in nature.

2. Social and economic pressures create cultural fragility

Migration, livelihood disruptions and demographic change reduce opportunities for intergenerational learning and weaken participation in cultural life.

3. The continuity of heritage depends on stable ecological and social contexts

When landscapes, resources or community structures change, traditions lose the conditions needed for meaning, practice and long-term sustainability.

4. Understanding climate impacts is the starting point for adaptation

Unit 1 provides the analytical basis for recognising these changes and prepares learners for Unit 2, where we explore how communities use traditional knowledge and cultural mechanisms to strengthen resilience.

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Community knowledge, traditional practices and adaptation

Introduction – Communities as key actors in climate change adaptationClick to read

	Traditional knowledge emerges from long-term environmental observation
	Cultural practices encode adaptive strategies and risk awareness
	Social cohesion strengthens collective resilience
	Adaptation succeeds when culture and innovation work together

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Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and its role in climate adaptationClick to read

	TEK is grounded in generations of accumulated environmental knowledge Communities have observed seasonal changes, animal behaviour, soil conditions and climate signals over long periods. This cumulative experience enables precise environmental interpretation that may complement or extend scientific data.
	TEK supports flexible and context-specific adaptation Traditional knowledge helps communities adjust planting times, modify grazing routes, diversify crops and anticipate extreme events. Its adaptability and close alignment with local realities make TEK a critical resource for climate resilience.
	TEK embeds values of stewardship and reciprocity Traditional knowledge systems often include ethical principles for responsible resource use. These values help sustain local ecosystems and reinforce practices that reduce climate vulnerability.
	Climate change challenges TEK’s ecological reference points As ecosystems shift beyond historical patterns, some traditional indicators become less reliable. This creates pressure for TEK to evolve quickly and highlights the need to document, revitalize and integrate TEK into broader adaptation planning.

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Seasonal knowledge and its role in climate adaptationClick to read

Seasonal calendars structure cultural and economic life	Changing seasons disrupt traditional timing and meaning	Communities adapt by modifying or reinventing seasonal markers	Dynamic knowledge systems strengthen resilience

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Adaptive practices embedded in cultural traditionsClick to read

	Many cultural practices originated as strategies for environmental survival
Adaptive practices are strongest when socially reinforced		Ritual norms regulate sustainable resource use
	Cultural innovation enhances resilience

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Social resilience: Identity, belonging and collective strengthClick to read

	Cultural identity provides psychological stability
	Community cohesion enables cooperative adaptation
	Storytelling preserves collective memory of past crises
	Cultural bonds sustain participation and knowledge transmission

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Global case studies: Climate adaptation through TEKClick to read

	Andean farmers revive ancient weather-reading practices By interpreting stars, winds and cloud formations, Andean communities predict rainfall variability. Blending traditional forecasting with scientific data helps optimise crop selection and improve planning under climate uncertainty.
	Maasai pastoralists adjust grazing using ecological indicators Pastoral mobility is guided by vegetation health, soil conditions and animal behaviour. These TEK-based strategies reduce risk, support herd health and help maintain ecosystem balance.
	Pacific Island communities integrate ritual knowledge with climate science Navigation practices, storm warnings and coastal rituals are reinterpreted by combining ancestral knowledge with modern climate forecasts, strengthening community preparedness.
	Mediterranean communities innovate through hybrid fisheries Fishers adapt gear, timing and ritual practices by integrating TEK with ecological monitoring, improving resilience despite shifts in marine species and changing ocean conditions.

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Challenges to TEK in a changing climateClick to read

Ecological baselines are shifting too quickly		Intergenerational gaps weaken knowledge continuity

Policy frameworks often overlook traditional knowledge		Loss of biodiversity erodes the foundations of TEK

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Summary of Unit 2Click to read

TEK is a key resource for climate adaptation
Communities hold deep ecological knowledge that supports sustainable and context-specific responses to environmental change.
Cultural practices embed adaptive strategies
Heritage-based systems, such as rituals, crafts, agriculture and customs, offer time-tested methods for managing climatic variability and environmental risk.
Social cohesion strengthens resilience
Identity, belonging and shared cultural memory provide emotional, psychological and organisational foundations that enable communities to adapt collectively.
Protecting TEK requires proactive support
Safeguarding, revitalisation and policy integration are essential to ensure TEK remains a living and evolving resource for climate resilience, preparing learners for Unit 3.

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Building resilience and sustainable transmission of ICH

Introduction – Why resilience matters for ICHClick to read

	Climate change demands new approaches to cultural safeguarding
	Resilience integrates cultural, social, and ecological dimensions
	Community agency is central to resilience
	Unit 3 explores practical pathways for long-term cultural continuity

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Safeguarding ICH in a changing climateClick to read

	Climate-focused safeguarding begins with community-led risk assessment
	Documentation strengthens continuity and future adaptation
	Dynamic safeguarding supports transformation rather than preservation “as is”
	Climate resilience becomes a safeguard in itself

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Education as a mechanism for resilienceClick to read

	Education bridges traditional knowledge and climate literacy Integrating TEK with scientific knowledge enables young people to interpret ecological change more accurately. This strengthens cultural identity, supports environmental awareness, and builds adaptive skills essential for climate resilience.
	Schools and learning spaces become platforms for ICH transmission Through classroom projects, field assignments, and mentorship programmes, students engage directly with elders. These activities reinforce intergenerational learning and support cultural continuity, particularly in communities where traditional transmission pathways are weakening.
	Experiential learning supports meaningful engagement Workshops, apprenticeships in crafts, food heritage practices, and nature-based learning reconnect youth with heritage through hands-on experience rather than passive observation. This deepens understanding, motivation, and long-term involvement in ICH
	Education fosters long-term cultural ownership When young people understand both the value of their heritage and climate challenges, they become active cultural stewards. This empowers them to innovate, adapt practices when necessary, and sustain cultural continuity over time.

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Youth engagement and intergenerational transmissionClick to read

	Youth participation revitalises cultural practices
	Intergenerational contact sustains depth and authenticity
	Digital tools expand opportunities for learning and documentation
	Engaged youth become future guardians of cultural resilience

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Cultural landscapes and environmental stewardshipClick to read

	Resilience begins with protecting the environments where ICH lives
Healthy ecosystems strengthen climate adaptation pathways		Landscape stewardship reinforces cultural continuity
	Co-management systems link TEK and policy

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Integrating ICH into climate adaptation policyClick to read

Policy must recognise ICH as both vulnerable and adaptive
ICH should not be viewed solely as something at risk. It also contains practices, skills, and knowledge systems that contribute directly to climate adaptation.
Cultural impact assessments strengthen adaptation planning
Including cultural dimensions in adaptation strategies ensures that decisions related to relocation, land-use planning, infrastructure or conservation do not unintentionally damage heritage.
TEK enriches scientific climate planning
Integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific forecasting generates more accurate, context-specific adaptation measures that communities trust and adopt.
Cultural resilience enhances overall community resilience
Policy frameworks that value heritage strengthen social cohesion, participation, and community-led adaptation - key pillars of climate resilience.

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Global case studies: ICH resilience in actionClick to read

	Fiji: Reimagining rituals after coastal erosion Communities have relocated ceremonial grounds inland while preserving the core meaning of rituals. By blending old cosmologies with new landscapes, they maintain continuity despite environmental displacement.
	Norway: Sami reindeer herding adapts to ecosystem shifts Sami herders integrate satellite data with traditional reading of snow, ice and vegetation conditions. This hybrid knowledge system helps them navigate unpredictable winters and safeguard cultural identity.
	Peru: Reviving Inca-era water systems Local farmers revitalise traditional irrigation channels and communal water rituals to manage irregular rainfall. These practices strengthen both agricultural resilience and social cohesion.
	Croatia: Coastal communities merge TEK and marine science Fishers reinterpret traditional ecological knowledge using modern ecological monitoring, enabling continuity of marine heritage practices under shifting marine conditions.

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Building a future of cultural resilienceClick to read

Resilience depends on dynamic, living heritage

Community empowerment ensures lasting continuity

Climate adaptation is cultural adaptation

A resilient future requires integrating culture into climate strategies

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Summary of Unit 3Click to read

Resilience requires safeguarding that supports transformation, not preservation alone
Climate resilience in ICH emerges when safeguarding evolves beyond static protection. Traditions must be able to adapt to environmental pressures, guided by community values, while maintaining their core meaning.
Education and youth engagement secure long-term continuity
Sustainable transmission depends on reconnecting younger generations with heritage. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and digital innovation, young people become both learners and creators, ensuring that adaptation remains embedded in cultural identity.
Healthy ecosystems and cultural landscapes strengthen heritage viability
Environmental stewardship—rooted in both TEK and scientific knowledge—is essential for maintaining the ecological conditions that sustain rituals, crafts, food practices and community identity. Cultural resilience is inseparable from ecological resilience.
Policy integration elevates culture as a pillar of climate adaptation
When local and national policies recognise ICH as a strategic asset, communities gain the support needed for sustainable adaptation. Integrating culture into adaptation planning promotes continuity, agency, and community-led resilience.

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Reflecting on key concepts

Reflecting on key conceptsClick to read

1. Climate change reshapes the environmental and social foundations of ICH
Changing seasons, resource loss, disrupted landscapes, and climate-driven migration destabilise the ecological, economic, and social conditions required for living heritage to thrive. These impacts weaken practice, meaning, and continuity.

2. Communities hold adaptive knowledge that strengthens resilience
Traditional ecological knowledge, seasonal calendars, cultural norms, and social cohesion form powerful, place-based mechanisms for navigating environmental uncertainty. Communities respond creatively through innovation, reinterpretation, and collective action.

3. Resilient safeguarding depends on empowering communities
Safeguarding, youth education, and environmental stewardship must facilitate cultural transformation rather than freeze traditions in time. Climate-informed policies and community-led strategies ensure that adaptation carries cultural meaning.

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Test Yourself!

Description:

Analyse how climate change affects the environmental, social, and economic conditions that sustain intangible cultural heritage.
Evaluate the role of traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices in supporting community-based climate adaptation.
Apply principles of dynamic safeguarding to propose adaptation strategies that maintain the cultural meaning of ICH under climate stress.
Integrate cultural, ecological, and educational perspectives to support intergenerational transmission and youth engagement in ICH.
Assess how policies and co-management approaches can strengthen cultural resilience and community agency in climate adaptation planning.

GREENCOMP competences:

Understanding how cultural heritage, ecosystems, and climate impacts are interconnected within broader socio-ecological systems
Anticipating how environmental change may reshape cultural practices and imagining adaptive, sustainable future pathways
Recognising the capacity to act as cultural and environmental stewards, contributing to community-led adaptation and safeguarding efforts
Collaborating across generations and knowledge systems to co-design solutions grounded in TEK, science, and community values
Developing the ability to adjust cultural practices, educational approaches, and safeguarding strategies in response to climate uncertainty

Keywords

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Climate Change Adaptation, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Cultural Resilience, Intergene

Objectives/goals:

This module aims to develop learners’ understanding of how climate change affects the ecological, social, and cultural foundations of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). It provides participants with the knowledge and skills to recognise, assess, and support community-driven adaptation using traditional ecological knowledge, safeguarding practices, and culturally grounded resilience strategies. The module also aims to enable learners to integrate ICH considerations into sustainable development and climate adaptation policies, strengthening cultural continuity and community resilience.

Bibliography

UNESCO (2020). Operational principles and modalities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies. Available at: https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/Operational_Principles_and_Modalities_for_Safeguarding_ICH_in_Emergencies_EN.pdf

Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

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Climate change resilience in intangible cultural heritage

Test Yourself!

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