NOAH'S ARK Project (European Union)

This project examines the impact of climate change on built heritage and cultural landscapes in Europe, with the aim of predicting this impact over the next 100 years. Its goal is to help define guidelines and adaptation strategies at EU level, supported by the publication of a "vulnerability Atlas" with risks mapping. The results of the study will allow the prediction of the impact of climate and pollution on cultural heritage and promotion of the response of materials and structures of the historic built environment to future climate scenarios on a European scale.

The outcome will allow the definition of guidelines and adaptation strategies, leading to possible amendments in EC Directives. The output of NOAH'S ARK will underpin the following gaps existing in current EU policy: inclusion of Cultural Heritage Protection as a prerequisite for implementing sustainable development; inclusion of immovable Cultural Heritage in the indicators for integrated assessment; favouring of dialogue between Air quality and Climate change Programmes, providing input to the Environment Action Programme within areas of Climate change and Quality of life.