Interview With Gunjan Nanda, Director of Operations at Entertainment + Culture Pavilion

1.) Tell us about the vision in establishing The Entertainment and Culture Pavilion.
The Entertainment + Culture Pavilion (E+C) isn’t just a place—it’s a movement. The vision behind it is rooted in the belief that arts and culture hold powerful, transformative potential to address the climate crisis. Traditional climate advocacy often overlooks cultural dimensions, yet culture shapes our values, drives behavioral change, and creates shared spaces for global dialogue.

Our aim is to bridge the gap between the creative industries and climate action, building a global movement that amplifies the voices of communities most impacted by climate change. By offering a dedicated platform for culture-based climate action, E+C brings together diverse partners—from grassroots organizations to global cultural institutions—to inspire, educate, and mobilize change through creative expression and storytelling.

2.) Tell us about the organizations you collaborate with such as SEACHA and Climate Heritage Network.
Radical collaboration is at the core of E+C’s work. Each Pavilion is made possible thanks to contributions from a diverse array of Organizing, Supporting, and Community Partners. Our coalition already includes more than 200 groups worldwide.

We work closely with organizations like the Climate Heritage Network (CHN), which share our commitment to preserving cultural heritage and using it as a catalyst for climate action. Furthermore, our regional allies play a critical role in localizing culture-based climate action efforts and elevating frontline advocates from the territories we’re in. During our Pavilion in Bangkok last June, SEACHA was a crucial partner in ensuring that we highlighted existing efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, including contributions from the Siam Society and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Through these partnerships, E+C facilitates interdisciplinary exchanges, integrates local perspectives into global conversations, and ensures that the unique cultural dimensions of climate change are represented at events like COP and beyond.

3.) Tell us about your culture and entertainment programing for COP16.
Each edition of the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion is uniquely tailored to its context. At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, we partnered with regional organizing collaborators to co-host a pop-up 5-day program at Casa de Mono, near the Green Zone. This initiative was organized in collaboration with Our Village by If Not Us Then Who?, FINCALI, PlanetOn, Saunter, and many others.

We produced over 70 events featuring more than 150 speakers and attracting 1,500 unique attendees. The programming included a diverse array of formats, such as live music performances, fashion shows, ancestral rituals, ceremonies, film screenings, and more. Most events were conducted in Spanish to prioritize local audiences, with live translation services provided in Portuguese and English to bridge knowledge gaps among our global participants.

The Pavilion also offered several educational opportunities, including sustainability workshops for industry professionals certified by the City Hall’s Culture Ministry. We hosted specialized workshops for Indigenous filmmakers and photographers, as well as roundtables and high-level meetings with frontline climate organizations. These efforts ensured a rich, inclusive, and impactful cultural and entertainment program for COP16.

4.) Tell us about your culture and entertainment programing for COP29.
COP29 in Baku marked an important milestone for us, concluding our first anniversary and highlighting the growth and progress of the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion (E+C) over the past year. While we didn’t have a dedicated pavilion in the Blue Zone, E+C actively co-organized and supported a series of dynamic events both within and outside the conference venue, underscoring the critical intersection of culture and climate action.

On November 14th, we hosted the Culture x Climate Forum at the Tusi-Bohm Planetarium in collaboration with The Convergence. This day-long event featured interdisciplinary programming, including panel discussions, immersive film screenings, constellation mapping exercises, and a closing ceremony led by the Wisdom Keepers delegation. The forum explored culture-driven climate solutions, bringing together thought leaders, artists, and activists to discuss transformative actions in climate resilience and environmental justice. We also launched our newest research briefing, “Legacy Solutions,” highlighting the pivotal role of Indigenous-led cultural heritage in global climate action.

In the Blue Zone, we organized several impactful events, such as the sustainable fashion show “Threads of Change” at the Thai Pavilion, co-hosted with the Thailand Youth Climate Council, TTALAB, and the Global Alliance of Universities for Climate. On November 19th, we presented a full day of cultural programming at the Digital Innovation Pavilion, focusing on cultural innovation and technological advancements while emphasizing the role of arts and heritage in climate solutions.

Beyond hosting our own events, we actively participated in key occasions, including the 2nd High-Level Ministerial for Culture-Based Climate Action and other activities supporting the global call for a joint working group for culture. While the goal of establishing this working group remains unmet, we succeeded in fostering connections with mission-aligned stakeholders and cultural leaders worldwide, paving the way for future Pavilion editions and collaborative opportunities.

5.) Do you participate in other climate related conferences such as London Climate Action Week or Climate Week LA or Climate Week NYC?
As part of our efforts to break silos and provide a decentralized global presence that builds community beyond the Blue Zone of the Climate Change COP, we have actively collaborated with partners at various climate-related events. During London Climate Action Week or NYC Climate Week, we supported our colleagues at the Symbiocene, Hope House and explored new partnerships on the ground.

However, participating in LA Climate Week was undoubtedly a highlight. We were honored to participate in its first edition as a Strategic Partner and to organize an event at Rita House in collaboration with local allies who have supported our work since the beginning. These partners included Black Pearl, QueerBrownVegan, Stranded Astronaut, Good Energy, Youth Climate Collaborative, and more.

We look forward to continuing our long-term engagement with LA Climate Week and identifying unique cultural venues to bring programming from our coalition to life. Through these conferences and others, we aim to foster meaningful connections and amplify the cultural dimensions of climate action globally.

6.) How can art and culture articulate climate change related issues?
Art and culture hold a unique power to translate the complex realities of climate change into emotionally resonant and relatable narratives. At the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion, we’ve seen first hand how through visual art, music, film, and storytelling, creators can convey the urgency of the climate crisis, evoke empathy, and inspire audiences to reflect on their role in building a sustainable future.

Culture bridges divides, making scientific concepts accessible while emphasizing the human stories behind environmental impacts. From documentaries and performances to community art projects, cultural expressions foster a sense of shared responsibility and empower individuals and communities to imagine and work toward a more sustainable world.

7.) How can artists get involved with your organization.
There are many ways for artists to get involved and collaborate with the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion. We announce open calls for submissions for programming at our Pavilion editions via social media and our newsletter. Interested partners can submit their interest through the form on our website and public channels.

We welcome collaborations with artists across disciplines who are passionate about climate action and want to contribute to our global mission. At COP28, we amplified the work of more than 40 artists in our physical gallery spaces, and at COP16, we showcased a wide range of artistic contributions during our 5-day program. Our goal is to build a diverse coalition of voices that reflect the variety of experiences and solutions needed to address climate change.

It’s important to acknowledge that financial barriers and limited capacity often prevent us from pursuing even more collaborations with artists worldwide. We are constantly seeking funding and support to ensure we can accept and support more artistic ventures in the future.

8.) Anything else you would like to add.
Our work is largely unfunded and grassroots-driven—a labor of love powered by a small but dedicated team. Despite limited resources, we have accomplished significant milestones, from hosting large-scale events to building a global network of climate and culture advocates. 

We deeply appreciate the funding and support we have received from partners who believe in our impact and want to support the community behind this initiative. To make our long-term work sustainable, we are actively seeking additional partners and funders who share our vision and can help us keep cultural climate action at the forefront.

9.) How can people get in touch with you?
You can email us at info@entertainmentculturepavilion.org or send us a direct message on Instagram at @entertainmentculturepavilion. While we are currently understaffed and working at full capacity, we value every inquiry and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your interest and potential collaboration.