Togo Benin Launch Comprehensive Report on Climate Risks to Koutammakou Heritage Site

• Togo and Benin launched a report assessing climate risks and adaptation strategies for the Koutammakou cultural landscape.
• Over 4,000 sikien earthen homes are at risk due to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, soil degradation, drought, and shortages of traditional building materials.
• The assessment aims to guide conservation decisions and mobilize resources to protect the World Heritage site.
• Togo and Benin have been urged by UNESCO to formalize a transnational management body and develop a joint management plan.

The report highlights the urgent need for action, as changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, soil degradation, drought, and shortages of traditional building materials threaten the sikien earthen homes characteristic of the Batammariba people.

Togo and Benin have taken significant steps to protect the Koutammakou cultural landscape from climate change. A comprehensive report assessing climate risks and adaptation strategies for the cross-border site was launched on August 10, 2026, in Nadoba, Togo's Kéran 3 municipality. This assessment is expected to inform conservation decisions and mobilize resources to safeguard the World Heritage site.

The report highlights the urgent need for action, as changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, soil degradation, drought, and shortages of traditional building materials threaten the sikien earthen homes characteristic of the Batammariba people. In Togo, over 1,928 sikien are at risk, while in Benin, more than 2,277 are vulnerable to collapse or damage.

The assessment is part of a broader effort to strengthen local capacity and cooperation between the two countries. UNESCO has identified financial, human-resource, and management needs for the site, which has led to calls for greater coordination and formalization of a transnational management body. In 2025, the World Heritage Committee urged Togo and Benin to establish a joint management plan.

Togo's efforts to protect the Koutammakou heritage site have already shown promise. In 2024, the country restored 42 sikien and launched training initiatives to support local communities in preserving their cultural landscape. However, more work remains to be done to address the complex challenges facing this unique site.

The protection of Koutammakou is not only essential for preserving a rich cultural heritage but also critical for addressing climate change risks in the region. The site's unique architecture, farming practices, and traditional knowledge are closely tied to the environment, making it an important example of sustainable living.

As lawyers advising clients on projects in the Koutammakou region must be aware of the strengthened climate protection efforts and potential impacts on local communities. Changes to building materials and farming practices may affect project timelines or compliance with environmental regulations. A thorough understanding of these issues is essential for ensuring that development projects are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Lawyers advising clients on projects in the Koutammakou region should be aware of the strengthened climate protection efforts and potential impacts on local communities, including changes to building materials and farming practices that may affect project timelines or compliance with environmental regulations.

Source: Original reporting via [Source Not Specified]