Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on Friday welcomed the proceedings of the one-day conference titled "Culture and the Climate Challenge," during which the results of the research project "Systems for Recording and Monitoring the Impact of Climate Change on Microenvironmental Conditions for the Preservation of Monument Material Surfaces," acronym HERISKTAGE, were presented. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Culture—through the Directorate for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments—and the National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos," with funding of 1,500,000 euros from Recovery Fund resources, via a Cultural Development Programme Agreement. According to the culture ministry's announcement, the conference highlighted the contemporary challenges posed by climate change for the protection of cultural heritage, as well as the potential for utilising innovative technological solutions in this direction. In her address, the minister underscored the importance of a coordinated national strategy for the prevention, resilience, and active protection of cultural heritage, noting: "Today’s meeting, organised by the Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate for the Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments, and "Demokritos," within the framework of the research project, provides an excellent opportunity for direct and meaningful dialogue on how the bodies entrusted with the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, as well as the wider cultural sector, can and must respond to one of the greatest and most multifaceted challenges of our time: climate change." Highlighting the close connection between the natural and cultural environment, Lina Mendoni emphasised: "As being inextricably linked to the natural environment, the cultural environment cannot be assessed and protected, preserved, or utilised in isolation from it. Coherent planning and unified strategies are required, which can only be ensured through the drafting and implementation of integrated sustainable management plans." Within this context, the Minister presented the pillars of the National Strategic Plan for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change, stressing its pioneering nature: "The culture ministry is drawing up the National Strategic Plan for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the impacts of climate change, one of the few plans available at an international level, which is structured around seven main pillars: -Connectivity, so that the protection of cultural heritage is integrated into all environmental and climate adaptation policies. -Long-term planning, with a horizon extending to 2050 and intermediate targets every five years. -Structural restructuring, aimed at adopting transformative interventions in institutions, infrastructure, and policies. -Prevention, through systematic risk assessment and timely management of impacts. -Flexibility and adaptability, allowing the plan to be revised in line with the evolution of the climate crisis. -Practical applicability, as it includes 20 specific adaptation plans for archaeological sites. -Innovation, through the use of digital technologies and advanced documentation tools." Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr