Heritage at the heart of climate action: INTO voices at COP30

As the world looks to COP30 in Brazil, INTO is proud to spotlight three passionate advocates who are representing the organisation on the global stage: Soleil Parkinson and Amber Ebanks from the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, and Simon Musasizi from the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda. Each brings a unique perspective to the urgent conversation around climate change, nature and heritage – united by the belief that heritage belongs in every climate conversation.

For Soleil Parkinson, growing up in the Cayman Islands has made the climate crisis impossible to ignore. ‘Our island is not the same as it used to be,’ she reflects, pointing to rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and intensifying storms. Soleil sees the Caribbean’s small size and tight-knit communities not as limitations, but as strengths. ‘We must use our voices to advocate for our islands and demonstrate that we cannot further delay climate action.’

Amber Ebanks echoes this urgency, highlighting the delicate balance between development and sustainability. ‘New developments are often put in place without full regard for their environmental impacts,’ she notes. For Amber, preserving heritage means protecting ecosystems like coral reefs and mangrove forests – natural assets that have shaped Caymanian culture and are vital to climate resilience.

Both Soleil and Amber are eager to build regional solidarity at COP30. ‘The Caribbean is a small region – yet we still lack collaboration,’ Soleil says. ‘Our communities are resilient, innovative, vibrant and diverse – a perfect mix for tackling our challenges together.’

From L-R: Cathy Childs, Soleil Parkinson, HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Dejea Lyons and Amber Ebanks at COP30

From the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), Simon Musasizi brings a powerful message: heritage is not only vulnerable to climate change – it is also a key to adaptation. ‘Despite these linkages, culture and heritage are often overlooked in adaptation planning and policy,’ he explains. Simon’s work focuses on integrating heritage into climate frameworks, advocating for risk-informed decision-making and greater recognition of cultural heritage in climate finance.

CCFU’s participation in INTO’s Withstanding Change project has been central to this effort. Through community-led initiatives, the foundation has demonstrated how heritage can support climate resilience – restoring sites, empowering youth and documenting traditional knowledge in regions most affected by environmental change. At COP30, Simon hopes to connect with funders, organisations and indigenous communities to share best practices and elevate the role of heritage in climate action.

Simon Musasizi at COP30

Together, Soleil, Amber, and Simon embody INTO’s mission to make heritage a central pillar of climate dialogue. Their voices – rooted in local experience and global vision – will help shape conversations at COP30, ensuring that cultural identity, traditional knowledge, and community resilience are not sidelined but celebrated as part of the solution.

As Simon puts it, ‘By speaking out, I contribute to the ongoing global efforts to bring heritage where it belongs – in every climate conversation.’