Kiri

Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 October 2020 (OR. en) 11535/20 CULT 60 SUSTDEV 128 CLIMA 217 NOTE From: General Secretariat of the Council To: Delegations No. prev. doc.: 11194/20 Subject: Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of Member States’ experts on Strengthening Cultural Heritage Resilience for Climate Change - Final mandate Delegations will find attached the mandate for the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of Member States’ experts on Strengthening Cultural Heritage Resilience for Climate Change, as finalised further to the discussions at the informal videoconference of the members of the Cultural Affairs Committee on 6 October 2020. 11535/20 CC/np 1 TREE.1.B EN  ANNEX Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of Member States’ experts on Strengthening Cultural Heritage Resilience for Climate Change set up under Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 Priority A. Sustainability in cultural heritage - mandate - The Council Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022, under priority A ‘Sustainability in cultural heritage’, provides for the creation of an Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group of Member States’ experts focusing on climate action. At the EU level, the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 and the New European Agenda for Culture recognise the importance of protecting and safeguarding Europe’s cultural heritage. The European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018 has considerably raised awareness about cultural heritage in Europe, resulting in follow-up measures and activities, including the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage by the European Commission1. The 2030 Agenda2, adopted by the international community in September 2015, is structured around 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a framework for policy design and implementation for a more sustainable future. The mandate of the present OMC group is directly linked in particular to SDG 13, ‘Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’3 and SDG 11 ‘Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ and especially SDG 11.4 ‘Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage’. 1 SWD(2018) 491 final. 2 United Nations, A/RES/70/1, ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E 3 Other relevant SDGs include goal 7, 11, 14, 15 and 17. 11535/20 CC/np 2 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN  The European Green Deal4 outlines possibilities for the transformation of the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive climate-neutral economy. It is an integral part of the Commission’s strategy to implement the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2015 Paris Agreement5 builds upon the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)6. The Paris Agreement requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through Nationally Determined Contributions7 (NDCs) to combat climate change. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) aims to support policymakers via regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and potential future risks, as well put forward adaptation and mitigation options. The UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 provides the roadmap for making communities safer and more resilient to disaster. The Council conclusions on risk management in the area of cultural heritage of 25 May 2020 8 recall the importance of protecting cultural heritage against the various types of risks threatening it (natural hazards, climate change and man-made disasters) and to seek synergies with relevant international organisations in order to sustainably preserve and protect cultural heritage for present and future generations. 4 COM(2019) 640 final. 5 United Nations, ‘Paris Agreement’ https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/application/pdf/english_paris_agreemen t.pdf 6 United Nations, ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’, https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf 7 Parties are requested to submit the next round of NDCs (new NDCs or updated NDCs) by 2020 and every five years thereafter regardless of their respective implementation time frames. 8 OJ C 186, 5.6.2020, p. 1. 11535/20 CC/np 3 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN Role of the OMC group The objective of the OMC group is to identify and exchange good practices and innovative measures for the protection of cultural heritage (including both tangible and intangible) in relation to climate change. It will study the possibility of upscaling good practices. The OMC group will examine the current and emerging threats and impacts of climate change on cultural heritage, including cultural landscapes, discuss the appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures available, identifying potential risks and focus on building resilience of cultural heritage assets in the face of a changing environment while avoiding maladaptation. The group should also examine the contribution cultural heritage can make to mitigating and combating climate change in line with the Green Deal’s goals. The OMC group will prepare a report based on the specific tasks outlined below and incorporated into the individual chapters concerning mapping of public policies; analysis of best practices and case studies including the possibility of multiplying or upscaling; and policy recommendations. Specific tasks should include: a) Exchange national, regional and local policies, good practices, foreseen threats or impacts. New strategies and innovative measures to avoid or reduce the climate impact on cultural heritage should be proposed. Early warning systems as foreseen by the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework 2015-20309 should be addressed; b) Exchange on the response of cultural heritage sites and institutions and communities to mitigate impacts of climate change on cultural heritage, in accordance with the European Green Deal, specifically regarding energy efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, zero waste operations, carrying capacity, sustainability in mobility, and in safeguarding practices and awareness raising; 9 United Nations, UNDRR, ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030’, https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030. Regarding disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage, relevant documents such as the resource manual ‘Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage’ of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM, ICOMOS, IUCN, should be consulted. 11535/20 CC/np 4 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN c) Taking into consideration geographic balance and climate zones, gather and discuss case studies, concerning: i) the impact of climate change and climate adaptation on all forms of cultural heritage • Focus should be given to cases that are under immediate threat and also take account of the impact of incremental damage; • the potential changes in the evolution of cultural landscapes due to climate change as well as the impact it may have on its intangible cultural heritage practices; ii) the historic built environment • best practices in improving energy efficiency of heritage buildings while respecting their protected values, and the quality principles in the respective interventions, as well as the potential risks associated with maladaptation; • the adaptive reuse of historical buildings and cultural heritage sites with respect to heritage values and sustainable energy efficiency solutions, as well as the need to combine them with seismic retrofitting, fire protection and/or other measures to mitigate potential threats, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in sustainable development and the circular economy; 11535/20 CC/np 5 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN  iii) the contribution of cultural heritage to combat climate change • the contribution of cultural heritage and traditional methods and practices to combat climate change while sustainably using resources in conservation; • the contribution of cultural heritage to raising awareness of society and engaging communities on the impacts of climate change; • the use of cultural heritage to guide an area in a transformation process as a result of climate change. d) Prepare an inventory of the relevant results from Horizon 2020 scientific projects, foreseen calls under Horizon Europe, as well as how to stay connected with the Marie Sklodowska Curie actions, and EU activities including the ‘Study on safeguarding heritage from disasters’ (2018) as well as relevant reports, such as the ICOMOS report ‘The Future of Our Pasts: Engaging Cultural Heritage in Climate Action’ (2019); e) Make proposals for future research to cover potential needs of Member States to build cultural heritage resilience in the face of climate change; f) Make recommendations for national heritage authorities, site managers and communities on climate change and heritage, on preparedness, capacity building, and disaster risk reduction, following an integrated approach to cultural heritage management; g) Prepare guidance for European and national environmental authorities and policy makers on the contribution of cultural heritage (particularly built heritage and landscapes) to the reduction of CO2 emissions and cultural heritage as a resource in circular economy. 11535/20 CC/np 6 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN Working approach and results The OMC group should ensure complementarities and synergies with other relevant initiatives of the Work Plan for Culture, including the OMC groups on the Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development and on High-quality Architecture and Built Environment. The OMC group should build on the work carried out on the same theme by other European and international institutions, such as the Council of Europe or UNESCO, especially the foreseen policy document on the impacts of climate change on UNESCO World Heritage properties. The OMC group may, for further inspiration and input, decide to involve external experts, such as researchers and representatives from civil society and relevant professional networks such as the recently created Climate Heritage Network (which gathers government organisations, cultural institutions, civil society, universities and professionals). The results of the work should be generic, broadly applicable and ready to be upscaled for the different cultural heritage fields and lead to awareness-raising and capacity-building of national heritage experts on sustainability of cultural heritage and of national environmental experts on cultural heritage as a resource for tackling climate change. The OMC group will also produce recommendations to contribute to discussions and planning of climate change measures at European and national level. As much as possible, the recommendations will build on the European and national climate policies. 11535/20 CC/np 7 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN Topic: Adaptation to climate change Working methods: OMC group, including a mapping exercise Rationale: With regard to ‘The Paris Agreement’ (2015) and UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action, experts will identify and exchange good practices and innovative measures for the historical environment in relation to climate change. Information from Horizon 2020 scientific projects will be shared and EU activities, including the ‘Study on safeguarding heritage from disasters’ (2018), will be inventoried. Specific focus should be given to the energy efficiency of historical buildings, the design and transformation of the cultural landscape and the safety of heritage under extreme climate circumstances. Target outputs: The exchange will lead to awareness-raising and capacity-building of national heritage experts on sustainability of cultural heritage. Their recommendations will contribute to discussions and planning of climate change measures at European and national level. 11535/20 CC/np 8 ANNEX TREE.1.B EN Ref. Ares(2020)5590945 - 16/10/2020 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORT AND CULTURE Culture and Creativity Cultural Policy Brussels, 15 October 2020 EAC.D.1/NMR NOTE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Subject: Invitation to nominate experts for an Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group on "Cultural heritage and adaptation to climate change" under the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 – Priority A In November 2018, the Council adopted the 2019-2022 Work Plan for Culture1, which focuses on six key priorities where EU level action can deliver clear added value: (A) sustainability in cultural heritage; (B) cohesion and well-being; (C) an ecosystem supporting artists, cultural and creative professionals and European content; (D) gender equality; (E) international cultural relations; (F) culture as a driver for sustainable development. The Work Plan foresees the establishment of an Open Method of Coordination (OMC) expert group on "Cultural heritage and adaptation to climate change" in the first half of 2021. As for all OMC groups under the Work Plan for Culture, participation in the work of this group is voluntary and Member States can join at any time. In light of COVID-19, we anticipate that at least the first meeting of this group will take place online rather than physically, similar to the other OMC groups which are currently active. If your Member State is interested in participating in this group, I would be grateful if you could nominate two experts who will represent your country, by 15 November 2020. To inform the nomination process, please find below a few practical indications as to the timing, profile of experts and reimbursements of their costs. Timing of the expert group The work of this OMC group should start in the first quarter of 2021. The group will meet approximately 6 times until the end of 2022. The proposed date for the first meeting will be late January 2021. Mandate for the group According to the procedure laid down in the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022, the mandate of this OMC group was finalised during the Cultural Affairs Committee meetings on the basis of a 1 Official Journal C460/10 of 21.12.2018, link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?qid=1554803950972&uri=CELEX:52018XG1221(01) Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111 Office: J-70 02/044 - Tel. direct line +32 229-62446 [email protected] draft mandate proposed by the Commission. The mandate, “Strengthening Cultural Heritage Resilience for Climate Change”, is at Annex 2 to this letter. Profile of the experts When adopting the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022, EU Member States decided on a few principles relating to membership and functioning of the working groups. These principles state that the experts should have 'a practical experience in the field at national level, and that s/he will ensure effective communication with competent national authorities'. Indeed, past experience with OMC groups in the field of culture shows that for the OMC process to be as beneficial as possible, experts should be involved in or closely linked to national policy making. In addition, experts should actively participate in the work of the group, by contributing to the meetings with presentations, drafting texts related to the group's deliverables and committing to disseminate its results to policy makers and relevant stakeholders at home. In the case where no suitable expert from the national administration can be identified for the purpose of the OMC group, Member States can exceptionally appoint experts from NGOs or cultural organisations. Sectorial expertise and number of experts Experts should be able to contribute effectively to the discussions and fulfilment of the group's mandate. They should therefore have a good knowledge of the relevant public policies, practices and grassroots initiatives in the following:  the current and emerging threats and impacts of climate change on cultural heritage;  good practices and innovative measures for the protection of cultural heritage in relation to climate change; and  the contribution cultural heritage can make to mitigating and combating climate change in line with the Green Deal’s goals. We invite you to appoint one expert with a cultural heritage background with a specialised interest in climate change. A second expert with a background in the discipline of climate change, coming from a ministry or agency specialised in the topic, and if possible, with a knowledge of cultural heritage issues maybe also be appointed. The Commission will reimburse travel expenses (for any physical meetings) for the maximum of two participants per Member State, representing two different and complementary services. Transparency Please note all nominated experts will be identified by name and function in the final report and any associated proceedings of the OMC. Contact details (email addresses) may also be shared on request. For the sake of transparency, all documents related to OMC meetings including agendas and minutes will be made available online in the Register of Experts managed by the Secretariat- General of the European Commission and accessible via the Europa website (click here). Reimbursement Experts who are civil servants or public administration employees will have their travel costs reimbursed (for any physical meetings), but accommodation costs will not be covered and there will be no daily allowance. Please note that following a change to the rules for reimbursement of expert groups, any expert from NGOs or cultural organisations participating in OMC groups will have their costs 2  reimbursed in the same way as civil servants or public administration employees: that is, only travel costs will be reimbursed. Accommodation will not be covered and there will be no daily allowance. Ordinarily, only one expert per Member State will receive reimbursement of travel costs. However, as stated above, if a second expert who clearly represents a different government department / administration / sector is nominated, travel costs of both experts will be reimbursed. Chairperson The nomination letter from your institution or agency should indicate whether an expert would be willing to chair the working group. Candidates for the chair should be made fully aware of the time investment that such a position requires, particularly with regard to steering the preparation of the expert group's expected output and coordinating the drafting process. In light of the fact that at least the first meeting will be held online, good IT skills would also be desirable for any candidate(s) interested in the position. The expression of interest to serve as chair should be accompanied by a CV and a letter of motivation, which will be shared with all OMC group members prior to the election of the chair. The election of the chair will take place at the first meeting of the OMC Group. Working language Due to current budget limitations for translation/interpretation, and in order to use our resources in the most effective way, the working language for the OMC group will be English. The Commission will cover costs of translation of the group’s final report (full version and executive summary) into French and German, and format these for publication. There is a small budget available for the publication of other EU language reports/summaries, if group members are interested / willing to provide translations. I would be grateful if you could complete the attached nomination form (Annex 2) and send it to Ms Florence Baeke ([email protected] ) by 15 November 2020. My colleagues and I will be happy to answer any further queries you may have about the nomination procedure. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, (e-signed) Catherine MAGNANT Head of Unit Annexes: 1. Mandate of the group 2. Template for nomination 3 Electronically signed on 15/10/2020 18:14 (UTC+02) in accordance with article 11 of Commission Decision C(2020) 4482