Climate action in the built environment often focuses on new technologies and new construction—but most of the opportunity for impact lies in the buildings, places, and knowledge we already have. This webinar introduces Heritage Now!—a global campaign advancing heritage-informed decarbonization strategies that connect climate action, cultural heritage, and community resilience. Learn how building reuse, retrofit, and traditional building practices can help reduce carbon emissions while supporting sustainable communities. Participants will learn about the scope and purpose of this international campaign and how they can join and contribute.

This is the first in a three part series.

Communities worldwide are developing innovative programs and policies that reduce carbon emissions through building reuse, retrofit, and traditional practices. Drawing from the new Decarbonizing the Built Environment through Heritage Toolkit, this webinar highlights practical examples and case studies demonstrating how preservation and climate goals can work together. Participants will explore policies supporting adaptive reuse, embodied carbon reduction, and traditional low-carbon building practices. Learn how heritage-informed approaches help communities create more sustainable, resilient, and climate-positive futures.

This is the second in a three part series. Learn more about the Heritage Now Campaign.

Effective climate action requires practical strategies for implementation and advocacy. This webinar explores how communities and organizations can advance heritage-informed decarbonization policies that support building reuse, retrofit, and low-carbon building practices. Participants will hear lessons learned from successful advocacy campaigns to integrate heritage-based decarbonization strategies into local climate policy. The session will also include strategies and tools for communicating the environmental benefits of reusing and retrofitting older and historic buildings.

This is the third in a three part series. Learn more about the Heritage Now Campaign.

This National Preservation Summit will bring together leaders from the preservation community—in-person and online—alongside national, civic, business, and community figures from across the nation. With a theme of All People Are Created Equal, this convening will explore community revitalization, the interpretation of the past to foster a shared future, and unity through historic places.

Location: Washington, D.C. and online.

Join us in D.C. and online for the 2026 National Preservation Law Conference. Sign up for updates to learn about details as they’re developed!