CLIMATE CHANGE
OVERVIEW
Faith leaders and organisations have long been active on climate justice and in advocating for urgent action to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable communities.
As UNEP's Faith for Earth Initiative outlined, they are taking action by 'communicating the science of climate change through sermons, transitioning houses of worship to renewable infrastructure, divesting from fossil fuels, advocating for climate justice, deploying faith-owned infrastructure and nature-based solutions in disaster recovery, and much more'.
'Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years.'
– Pope Francis, Laudato Si', 53
Calling for urgent action
FAITH STATEMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Over the last 30 years, many faiths have issued statements expressing deep concerns and calling for urgent action on climate change. The Yale Forum for Religion and Ecology (Yale FORE) has compiled these Climate Change Statements from World Religions.
They range from the 1997 statement by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs on The Challenge of Climate Change, and the 2002 Common Declaration of Environmental Ethics by John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, to the 2015 Buddhist Climate Statement to World Leaders and the 2019 declaration by representatives of Indigenous Peoples’ organisations of the Arctic.
'A kairos moment'
FAITHS DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS
Faith groups are the biggest category of organisations divesting from fossil fuels, motivated by their conviction that divestment is a moral responsibility rooted in faith, justice, and care for the planet.
More than 600 faith institutions have made divestment commitments, a third of the 1,700+ institutions that have done so to date.
The World Council of Churches, has described this time as a 'kairos moment' – a decisive turning point in the struggle for ecological justice. WCC’s General Secretary Revd Prof Dr Jerry Pillay said: 'People of faith must ensure they are not complicit with the very causes of the climate emergency.'
UNEP FAITH FOR EARTH
UNEP Faith For Earth Initiative provided a vital hub for faith groups working on climate change advocacy and action. It was the driver, for example, of the Faith Pavilion (pictured in the main image above) which provided a platform for faith actors to engage robustly at COP28.
Although the Initiative has now transitioned toward decentralised leadership, its global network of more than 8,000 members, including three vibrant councils of youth, women, and senior faith leaders, remain committed to continuing this work.
UNEP'S Faith for Earth Initiative also worked with the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) to develope an eight-module online learning course for faith actors on the interconnected and interrelated drivers and solutions to the triple planetary crises.
A COMPREHENSIVE DEEP DIVE INTO THE CRISES OF OUR TIMES
-
Module 1: A Time for Action
-
Module 2: Climate Change
-
Module 3: Water
-
Module 4: Ecosystems Restoration
-
Module 5: Financing for Sustainable Development
-
Module 6: Environmental Governance
-
Module 7: Environmental Security
-
Module 8: Sustainable Lifestyles
Be inspired
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Find partners
Key organisations and networks leading faith-based action on climate change
Get started
Key guidance documents
Interested in getting a collaboration or a project going with a faith community but not sure where to start? Check out these key guidance documents.
