WCC news: Non-economic climate losses spotlighted by WCC at COP29

The World Council of Churches (WCC) co-hosted two side events addressing the non-economic impacts of climate change. These discussions focused on how climate change affects vulnerable communities worldwide, particularly Indigenous peoples, by disrupting cultural heritage, spiritual practices, and community resilience. During COP29, the World Council of Churches (WCC) co-hosts the side event ‘Beyond Material Loss – Exploring Non-Economic Impacts of Climate Change Through Faith-Based Perspectives.’ Faith leaders and delegates gather to discuss how climate change affects not just the environment but also cultural heritage, spiritual well-being, and the identity of communities. The event underscored incorporating faith-based insights into climate action to address these profound non-economic losses. Photo: Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC 18 November 2024 The first event, “Beyond Material Loss: Exploring Non-Economic Impacts of Climate Change Through Faith-Based Perspectives,” featured panelists Ramón Pichs, vice chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Brother Rodrigo Péret of Franciscans International, and Candice Dangilan, a youth representative from the Philippines. Pichs highlighted the need to incorporate non-economic losses into global climate assessments: “The IPCC recognizes the importance of addressing these impacts, which include cultural and spiritual dimensions often overlooked in policy frameworks.” Brother Péret emphasized the systemic changes required to achieve meaningful climate justice: “Faith-based organizations and grassroots movements must challenge the current systems driving environmental degradation. We need solutions that respect the intrinsic value of nature and humanity beyond economic metrics.” Archbishop Julio Murray, moderator of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, during COP29 side event ‘Exploring Non-Economic Impacts of Climate Change: Faith-Based Insights on Loss and Damage. The event united faith leaders and community representatives to highlight the profound non-economic losses caused by climate change. Photo: Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC The second event, “Exploring Non-Economic Impacts of Climate Change: Faith-Based Insights on Loss and Damage,” featured Bishop Julio Murray of the Anglican Church in Panama, Maru Micah Maua of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, Wara Iris Gondori, an Indigenous leader from Bolivia’s Aymara community, Sister Jayanti Kirpalani from Brahma Kumaris, and Stephanie Stevens from Vanuatu. Stevens described her community's irreplaceable losses: “Rising seas are not just eroding our land—they are taking our burial sites, community spaces, and histories. These losses cannot be measured in monetary terms.” Bishop Murray underscored the role of faith communities in supporting affected populations: “Faith organizations witness and address the losses that others overlook—loss of identity, hope, and connection. These impacts require a response that prioritizes human dignity and community resilience.” Both events called for COP29 negotiators to formally include non-economic losses within global climate policies, such as the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage. Speakers urged more significant involvement of faith communities, Indigenous leaders, and youth in shaping these policies to ensure that human-centered impacts are fully recognized. Photo galleries here At COP29, religious leaders call for “regeneration and renewal of our only planetary home” (WCC news release, 13 November 2024) Beyond numbers: COP29 side event advocates for justice-driven climate finance (WCC news release, 12 November 2024) “Creation itself is a teacher,” urge faith leaders at COP29 prayer service (WCC news release, 11 November 2024) WCC advocates for justice-driven climate action at COP29 (WCC news release, 11 November 2024) WCC, ACT Alliance, and Lutheran World Federation issue joint call to action for biodiversity (News Release, 30 October 2024) WCC advocates for creation care and justice at start of triple COP journey (News Release, 24 October 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland