Barcelona, 30th September 2025 — People’s Palace Projects’ Climate Action lead, Thiago Jesus, has released “Tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability through culture”. The chapter is a contribution to the first UNESCO Global Report on Cultural Policies – Culture: The Missing SDG. The landmark publication is the first of its kind to cover all regions and cultural domains, offering the most comprehensive global analysis of cultural policies to date. It provides evidence to guide new agendas and strengthen multilateral cooperation. 

The Global Report was officially launched during MONDIACULT in Barcelona, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development. The event gathered over 100 Ministers of Culture and 1,200 participants representing governments, civil society, artists, NGOs, and international organisations to discuss culture’s crucial role in development, including advocacy for an independent goal for culture in the post-2030 global agenda. Read the full report here

To mark the launch, Thiago joined a round table discussion to highlight findings from the report. He reflected on how the intricate relationship between climate and culture is gaining growing policy attention at the international level.

“Climate change is not only a scientific and technical challenge, but one that is deeply embedded in culture, values, norms, and social systems. The leadership of the Culture Ministers is essential to accelerate the integration of culture into climate policy – from nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans to disaster risk, reduction strategies and early warning systems.” 

Thiago shared PPP’s advocacy efforts to integrate culture into the UNFCCC climate agenda. 

“That includes decarbonising the creative industries, mobilising public awareness through the power of art, and supporting community-led initiatives, especially those led by Indigenous communities.”, Thiago concludes.

During the roundtable, Thiago also spoke about the role of technology, stressing how digital tools can be combined with traditional knowledge to protect cultural heritage. He illustrated this through PPP’s recent collaborations: the construction of a life-size replica of the sacred Kamukuwaká cave with the Wauja people in the Xingu Indigenous Territory and Factum Foundation, and the upcoming Kamukuwaká VR experience, which invites audiences into Indigenous perspectives on cultural knowledge to resist and adapt to climate threats.

Watch the round table:

PPP’s participation at MONDIACULT also deepened alliances and opened space for shared knowledge in parallel events. Thiago Jesus attended the Third High-Level Dialogue of the Group of Friends on Culture-Based Climate Action, where the Barcelona Declaration was adopted. This gathering included Brazil’s Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, and HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan. With partner organisation Julie’s Bicycle, PPP has been a knowledge partner of the coalition since its inception at COP28 in Dubai, working collectively to reinforce the role of culture in climate negotiations.

Credit: Luciele Oliveira / MINC

Thiago Jesus also joined the Global Ethical Stocktake, convened by COP30 Youth Champion Marcele Oliveira, alongside the E+C Pavilion and TBA21. PPP distributed the booklet “What’s Culture Got to Do with the Planet’s Climate?”, produced as part of PPP and Amazonia de Pé’s Climate is Culture project. The publication draws from the gathering of 30 Indigenous leaders, artists, cultural practitioners, and civil society members earlier this year in Pará, which explored how arts and culture can mobilise climate action.

Marlova Jovchelovitch Noleto, Director UNESCO Brazil

You can download it here 

Thiago’s attendance at MONDIACULT was supported by Queen Mary University of London and Arts Council England.

Next Stops on the Road to COP30

With COP30 in Belém fast approaching, PPP continues to work with partners and colleagues across Queen Mary University to play an active role in connecting culture and climate:

  • In October in Rio de Janeiro, Thiago will provide consultancy for the Second International Seminar on Culture and Climate Change, hosted by Brazil’s Ministry of Culture.

In early November, PPP will join the Artivism Summit in Salvador, a gathering of artists and activists who use creativity to advocate for climate justice.