A novel methodology for strengthening resilience of cultural heritage to the impacts of climate change - application for archaeological sites and monuments in Greece

Protecting cultural heritage from the impacts of climate-related risks requires the development of adaptive strategies that take note of (a) the climate hazards (forest fires, droughts, floods, heat waves, sea level rise) that are associated to the landscape where an archaeological site/monument is located (b) the strong variation in climate vulnerability by location (c) the socio-economic changes that may impact the communities which support the conservation of cultural heritage and (d) local knowledge and traditions. The paper presents a novel methodology based on the interplay of "exposure-sensitivity-vulnerability-risk" for strengtening resilience of cultural heritage to the impacts of climate change; the methodology is based on such parameters as exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability, it considers landscape characteristics, takes note of climate estimates for the future climate period and finally delivers site dependent adaptation plans to climate change. The methodology is rolled out in the framework of the policy of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture for the protection of archaeological sites from the impacts of climate change. The methodology as well as results for selected archaeological sites will be presented along with a discussion on the environmental, social and governance criteria for the implementation of the adaptation plans.