Protection of heritage against damage and loss due to continuous changes in temperature, rainfall and other climate parameters is becoming more challenging due to limited resources and poor understanding of the distribution and severity of climate risks. The changes are devastating to tangible and intangible heritage, particularly in terms of archaeological site, historical buildings, cultural landscapes, parks and gardens, museums and artefacts. For instance, average temperatures across Nigeria increased by 1.5⁰C since 1980 with projection of 5⁰C by 2080. The impacts of climate change evident across the region include reduction in rainfall, rising sea levels causing damages to historical buildings, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes and more frequent extreme weather events. Future projections revealed continuous increase in temperature, sea level and more variable rainfall indicating urgent need for implementation of actions to adapt and improve resilience of heritage sites. However, Nigeria government, as a matter of priority, established an unconditional contribution target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below the business-as-usual emissions scenario by 2030 with primary focus on agriculture, power, transportation and water resources sectors.

Relevant studies suggest implementation of nature-based adaptation strategies to protect heritage against climate change and restoration of natural ecosystems surrounding cultural and natural heritage sites. Nature-based strategies, in the context of this study, refer to actions that address community challenges through protection, management and restoration of natural ecosystems of heritage sites, not only to address climate change impacts, but also improve human wellbeing and biodiversity.

The current paper, therefore, investigates the potentials of nature-based adaptation strategies such as planting of trees, restoration of wetlands and sustainable land management practices to safeguard heritage for future generations. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps were collected to understand the exposure and vulnerability of the heritage sites to climate risks and develop pathways to implementing nature-based adaptation strategies. Stakeholder dialogue was implemented to understand critical issues relating to policy and governance, institutional capacity and community engagement influencing conservation and management of the heritage sites. Also, four case studies were selected based on the climatic zones in Nigeria to understand the trend of changes in climate parameters and illustrate the influence of climate change on heritage sites.

Findings revealed that heritage sites ranging from historic buildings to natural conservation areas are impacted by climate risks resulting into rapid deterioration of the values and loss of connection to the community. 42% of heritage sites in southern Nigeria are threatened by flood and other coastal risks while 59% of the heritage sites in northern Nigeria are impacts by droughts, increasing temperature and sandstorms. Findings also established that there is limited understanding of the significance of nature-based adaptation strategies in protecting heritage sites due to inadequate awareness, policy instability, weak political will and limited involvement of local communities and non-government stakeholders. Local communities where heritage sites were located also have limited access to climate information and knowledge resulting into environmental inequalities and marginalisation. Although, the government have enacted different climate policies (such as Climate Change Act) and targets (such as Net Zero Emissions 2050 and Energy Transition Plan), but the implementation of the policies is impeded largely due to weak organisational capacity and policy misalignment between federal, state and local governments. It was also observed that heritage principles were not integrated into the planning and development of the climate policies and targets. The findings further highlights implementing nature-based adaptation strategies needs to include managing and increasing green cover, improve soil quality and biodiversity and manage freshwaters and wetlands around the heritage sites.

The study further finds that adopting nature-based adaptation strategies enabled protection of traditional knowledge and inclusion of indigenous communities, who can provide valuable insights and strategies for adapting heritage sites to climate change impacts. The study, therefore, recommend i.) establishment of protected areas around heritage sites to serve as barriers to climate change impacts and provide refuge for biodiversity and safeguard heritage values, ii.) development of responsive urban development framework using GIS and other advanced spatial tools that recognises the protected areas and heritage sites to avoid intrusion, deforestation and uncontrolled urbanisation, iii.) promotion of low-impact tourism activities, iv.) implement guidelines for visitor management, and v.) encourage cultural and environmental education programs. Community members also agreed that incorporating nature-based adaptation strategies helped them to reconnect with the values, beliefs and history of the past generations, rediscover their identify and reignite sense of responsibility and care for the heritage sites. In conclusion, implementing nature-based adaptation strategies will improve protection of heritage sites as well as contribute to significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while starving off worst impacts of increasing temperatures.