credit: Disaster Displacement
At COP29, sustainability arts played a crucial role in bridging climate science and emotional awareness. Artists from around the world showcase works that reflect environmental urgency, cultural resilience, and visions for a regenerative future. Through installations, performances, and community-led projects, the arts program fostered dialogue between policymakers, youth, and indigenous voices. By integrating creativity into climate negotiations, COP29 acknowledged the importance of emotional intelligence, storytelling, and cultural heritage in driving sustainable change.
Each year, we at Dobrosphera conduct a COP (Conference of the Parties) yearly review to assess our impact and involvement in global climate discourse. We analyze our participation in side-events, exhibitions, and collaborations with artists, activists, and policy experts. The review includes evaluating the effectiveness of our messaging, media coverage, and how our cultural initiatives aligned with COP themes. We also gather feedback from partners and audiences to refine our strategy. This annual reflection helps us stay accountable, identify new opportunities for creative climate engagement, and shape our future contributions to sustainability through the arts, storytelling, and interdisciplinary dialogue. Our review approach is based on Arts' Analytics, Research and Critique.
The Local Cultural Exhibition at COP29 spotlighted the rich traditions, crafts, and artistic expressions of communities most affected by climate change. Through textiles, music, storytelling, and visual art, the exhibition celebrated cultural heritage as a source of resilience and innovation. Indigenous knowledge, ancestral practices, and sustainable living methods were shared, offering valuable insights into adaptation and climate stewardship. This space fostered intercultural exchange, allowing global delegates to connect with local narratives beyond statistics. By honoring place-based wisdom, the exhibition underscored the vital role of culture in climate solutions and the importance of protecting both nature and identity.
At COP29, visual solutions in the Green Zone played a key role in communicating climate issues in accessible and emotionally engaging ways. Artists, designers, and environmental storytellers created powerful visuals—infographics, immersive installations, digital projections, and eco-art—that translated complex data into impactful experiences. These visuals helped audiences understand climate impacts, solutions, and cultural perspectives with clarity and empathy. Interactive exhibits encouraged participation and reflection, while visual storytelling connected global challenges to local realities. By blending creativity with science, the Green Zone visuals inspired collective awareness and action, proving that art and design are essential tools in fostering a more sustainable and just future.
COP29 showcased a large diversity of arts, reflecting global perspectives on climate, culture, and sustainability. From traditional crafts and indigenous performances to contemporary digital art and climate theater, the artistic expressions represented a wide range of voices and mediums. This diversity created a rich, inclusive atmosphere where local and global narratives intersected. Artists from various backgrounds highlighted environmental justice, resilience, and hope through sculpture, music, film, and participatory installations. The program emphasized that climate action is not only scientific and political, but also deeply cultural. By embracing artistic plurality, COP29 fostered cross-cultural understanding and emotional connection to the climate crisis.