WCC news: At COP28, WCC general secretary hopes for “less talk and more walk”

Attending his first climate talks as the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay took time via an interview to share the key elements of the WCC’s work at COP28—and his biggest hopes.  WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pilay speaks at a side event of COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Valter Muniz/WCC 1 December 2023 “Personally I take the issue of climate change very seriously,” says Pillay. “I have seen the realities of what happens.” He notes that the WCC 11th Assembly in 2022 made the WCC’s focus on climate justice a top priority of the WCC, placing it, Pillay says, “on the agenda of absolute importance.” He is part of a coalition of faith community leaders who are bringing a spiritual, ethical, and moral voice to COP28, adding that that kind of voice should not be diminished when we discuss big issues in the world. “We cannot leave this big crisis that we actually are already experiencing to be a situation where we find solutions from politicians or scientists alone—or from another one group alone,” he says. “We need to actually be responsible stewards and citizens and we need to actually care for creation.” He shares some stories from his travels as WCC general secretary in which he saw people struggling from the effects of climate change. “Food security has been seriously damaged,” he says. “The weird weather patterns alone are an indication enough that something is terribly wrong.” Pillay also shares some of the key issues the WCC will bring to COP28. “I think especially with regard to COP28, one gets a bit tired of these conversations taking place all the time—and actions are slow if any at all,” he says. “My hope is we will mobilize for action. My hope is that we will do less talk and more walk. The conversation should actually help us to say to leaders: this is urgent.” Pillay also prioritizes communicating about fossil fuels, and how moving away from them will help reach goals already set in past climate talks. “Profit-making becomes an issue,” he says. “Another issue is the issue of loss and damage that they have come up with regard to sustainable communities.” He especially emphasizes speaking with women and youth. “We also need to be talking to Indigenous people because they have a lot to teach us about how we respect and love the land,” he says, and noted that persons with disabilities should be carefully consulted as well. "They need to also to be part of this conversation, and we need to ask them: how does the climate change affect you?” The WCC’s work at COP28 comprises awareness, advocacy, and mobilization for change, Pillay summarizes.  “We will do we have to do in order to make the changes so that we can address the climate crisis,” he said. WCC special page on COP28 Interfaith talanoa dialogue brings “ethical, moral, and spiritual voice” to COP28 (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) As COP28 begins, faith communities stand ready to push for climate justice (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) WCC executive committee statement on COP28's responsibility for climate justice "Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence" - Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland