Climate Change Adaptation in Cultural Heritage: A Systematic Mapping Review Using an AR6-Informed Action Typology

Research on climate adaptation for cultural heritage has grown rapidly, but evidence remains fragmented across heritage types, hazards, regions, and forms of action. This PRISMA 2020-guided systematic mapping review analysed 164 peer-reviewed, English language studies indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection through 25 June 2026. Studies were coded by region, heritage type, climate hazard, implementation stage, and a seven-category, AR6-informed adaptation-action typology. The English language publications have substantially expanded since 2015, although they continue to be geographically concentrated in Europe and North America with more limited representation in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. The extent to which this reflects the global research landscape and whether it is an artefact of language limitations remains an area for further research. Institutional actions dominate the literature (72.0%), while economic and ecosystem-based responses remain scarce. Built heritage studies revealed a comparatively strong technological and structural/physical profile, which remained when the single earthen-heritage study was included. However, 65.9% of studies only proposed actions, and just two evaluated their outcomes, none in built heritage. Gaps also persist in underrepresented heritage domains and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge. Future research should evaluate adaptation outcomes, connect climate hazards more directly with building and material performance, and integrate physical interventions with governance, finance, and local knowledge. The findings identified evidence gaps relevant to the cultural heritage indicators adopted under the Global Goal on Adaptation.