Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals

Through its programmes, partnerships, and policy advocacy, the Heritage Council contributes to several SDGs that reflect the social, cultural, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

Key SDGs and Heritage

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities The Heritage Council supports the conservation of cultural and natural heritage in urban and rural settings. Programmes such as the Historic Towns Initiative and Irish Walled Towns Network strengthen the resilience of historic areas, preserving them for future generations while promoting sustainable development in cities and communities

• SDG 13: Climate Action The Heritage Council’s Climate Action Roadmap guides efforts to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and adapt heritage sites to climate impacts. The Local Authority Heritage Officer and Biodiversity Officer Programmes and partnerships with CAROs play a critical role in implementing climate-resilient conservation strategies. This ensures heritage is both protected from climate risks and used as a resource in climate mitigation efforts

• SDG 14: Life Below Water Through its work in coastal and marine heritage, the Heritage Council contributes to the conservation of underwater archaeology and coastal heritage sites that are increasingly threatened by rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and other climate-related risks. Initiatives like the CHERISH Project focus on understanding and protecting marine and coastal heritage while promoting sustainable management of these resources

• SDG 15: Life on Land The Council’s biodiversity programmes, including its partnerships with the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC), actively work towards conserving terrestrial ecosystems. The Biodiversity Sectoral Adaptation Plan ensures that natural heritage and ecosystems are protected from climate impacts, while the Council’s work on the Heritage in Schools programme educates future generations on the importance of biodiversity conservation

Other Relevant SDGs

• SDG 4: Quality Education Through the Heritage in Schools programme, the Heritage Council fosters education on heritage and sustainability, promoting an understanding of the importance of conservation in Ireland’s schools. This programme provides educational resources on heritage that encourage students to appreciate and engage with their cultural and natural environment

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals The Council actively collaborates with other organisations, local authorities, and the public to achieve its SDG objectives. Notably, through participation in the SDG Champions Programme, the Council works to integrate the SDGs into its work and advocate for sustainable heritage conservation across Ireland. Partnerships with entities such as the Discovery Programme, CAROs, and NBDC are critical to achieving these shared goals

Sustainability in Funding

Sustainability is central to all of the Heritage Council’s funding schemes. Applicants for heritage grants are required to demonstrate how their projects will contribute to sustainability, ensuring that climate action and conservation go hand in hand. This approach encourages heritage projects that are future-proofed against climate change, while also fostering sustainable development in communities across Ireland.

By linking its activities with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Heritage Council demonstrates how heritage conservation can play a vital role in achieving a sustainable future for both people and the planet.