WCC NEWS: Biodiversity and climate focus of WCC executive committee statement

As two major global environmental conferences are scheduled to take place later this year—the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia and the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan—the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee released a statement noting that the systems needed for life to flourish are at extreme risk. A group from the Nahua indigenous people in Mexico dance as civil Society organizations gather for a Global March for Climate Justice at the United Nations climate summit COP28, in Dubai 2023. Photo: Albin Hillert/LWF 11 June 2024 The statement commended the government of Colombia for combating deforestation and biodiversity loss, and for endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also called upon churches to learn from Indigenous spiritualities and practices that safeguard biodiversity and climate. Churches, the WCC governing body urged, can mobilize their constituencies and communities of faith to exert pressure and build political will for deep-seated and timely climate action without further degrading the ecosystem or imperilling the most vulnerable. The WCC executive committee is meeting in Bogota from 6-11 June, where the governing body is focusing on the business of the WCC and on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.   Read in full: Statement on Biodiversity COP16 and Climate COP29   At social dialogue in Colombia, WCC assures hundreds gathered: “we are co-pilgrims with you in your journey” (7 June 2024)    WCC moderator urges “get involved in the struggles of the world by affirming hope” (6 June 2024)    Moderator's address at the WCC executive committee in Bogota, Colombia   WCC general secretary to executive committee: “in Christ all things are held together” (6 June 2024)   Report of the WCC general secretary at the executive committee in Bogota, Colombia   In Colombia, WCC executive committee will focus on life and witness of churches (30 May 2024)   WCC executive committee will meet in Colombia to strengthen peacebuilding work (7 May 2024) 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