Climate change and cultural heritage protection in Africa: an appraisal of legal frameworks in Ethiopia and South Africa

Purpose This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage sites and landscapes in Africa. To offer depth, it assesses the role and effectiveness of heritage laws in protecting cultural heritage in the context of climate change in Ethiopia and South Africa. The study consequently sought to enhance understanding on climate change and cultural heritage through a multidisciplinary lens that incorporates insights from climate change science and heritage law and policy analysis. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a socio-legal inquiry approach underpinned by critical approaches to law to unpack the adequacy of existing heritage laws and the utility of emerging climate science and law in protecting cultural heritage sites and landscapes in Africa. Findings The analysis indicated the inadequacy of existing heritage laws and policies in Ethiopia and South Africa for protecting cultural heritage sites and landscapes against the cascading impacts of climate change. Thus, it firmly established that new policies and laws are necessary for protecting and preserving cultural heritage through strengthening their adaptability and resilience. Originality/value The originality of the paper lies in its focus on two cultural heritage hotspots in Africa – Ethiopia and South Africa – to examine their unique and diverse cultural heritage from the perspective of both climate science and heritage law. This interdisciplinary lens allows the study to identify the specific impacts of climate change on cultural heritage and the role of law in addressing these impacts.