By Abdullahi Lukman
A new global study warns that climate change is putting 80% of UNESCO World Heritage sites at risk, with nearly one in five built from vulnerable materials such as stone and wood.
Iconic landmarks including the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, and India’s Ellora Caves face damage from extreme heat, humidity, storms, and other climate impacts.
The research found that even under a “low-emission” scenario limiting warming to 1.5°C, only 40% of threatened sites could be safeguarded, while rising emissions could put far more at risk.
Damage varies by material and region, with tropical, subtropical, and arid climates each presenting unique challenges such as erosion, thermal stress, and pest damage.
Experts also highlighted a Global North-South divide: low- and middle-income countries face greater climate risks but have fewer conservation resources.
The study recommends international cooperation, including mobile expert teams to support under-resourced regions, and adapting traditional knowledge for sustainable preservation.
Researchers stressed that reducing global emissions is critical to protecting both cultural and natural heritage, including forests, reefs, and landscapes that provide water and natural hazard protection.
