A UNESCO-Led Pilot for Climate Action

The Shared Outcomes project is a pioneering initiative led by the UK National Commission for UNESCO, with funding from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), designed to explore how UNESCO-designated sites can become living laboratories for climate resilience. The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere is one of three UK pilot sites—alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blaenavon and the UNESCO Creative City of Dundee—selected to test new approaches to integrating climate adaptation with cultural and ecological heritage.

North Devon’s unique blend of rich biodiversity, vibrant communities, and cultural landscapes makes it an ideal location to pilot innovative climate solutions. As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it already embodies the principles of sustainable development, conservation, and learning.

Project Goals

• Co-create climate adaptation strategies that reflect the values and needs of local communities.
  
• Integrate cultural and ecological heritage into climate planning, ensuring that nature recovery and community resilience go hand in hand.
  
• Develop scalable tools and frameworks that can be applied across other UNESCO sites in the UK and globally.
  
• Demonstrate the value of UNESCO designations in supporting national climate goals and local action.
  

Looking Ahead

As the project moves toward completion, the North Devon Biosphere will help shape a national framework for climate resilience that places heritage and community at its heart. The insights gained here will inform future policy, funding, and collaboration across the UK’s network of UNESCO sites.

Learn more about the UK UNESCO Climate Change Programme.

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