WCC NEWS: WCC, ACT Alliance, and Lutheran World Federation issue joint call to action for biodiversity

The World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, and Lutheran World Federation have issued “A Call to Action for Biodiversity and Climate Justice at COP16.”  Roe deer in the Nacka Nature Reserve ('Nackareservatet') in Stockholm, Sweden, Photo: Albin Hillert/Life on Earth Pictures 30 October 2024 The call recognizes that biodiversity loss has reached alarming levels, driven by human action and exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. “We understand the urgent need to act in the face of the climate crisis that is devastating our ecosystems,” reads the text. “We believe that promoting just relationships requires ethical and constructive dialogue between the natural, social, and theological sciences, as well as traditional knowledge and wisdom.” Biodiversity protection must be an unshakable priority for governments, the text urges. “Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is critical, as climate change is not only one of the main causes of biodiversity loss but also exacerbates this crisis,” reads the text. “Achieving this goal requires the fair and equitable elimination of fossil fuel use, as they are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.” The call also urges a transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources. “Furthermore, mobilizing the necessary resources to address the nature and climate crises demands political leadership and action, particularly from developed countries,” reads the text. “Finally, as churches and faith-based organizations, we promote the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity and call for an urgent restructuring of power relations, the recognition of the rights of nature, and the transformation of the current extractivist economic model, which has contributed to biodiversity degradation and further exacerbated the climate crisis.”   Read the full statement Learn more about WCC`s work on climate justice and follow news from triple COPs 2024 "WCC advocates for creation care and justice at start of triple COP journey" (WCC news release, 24 October 2024) "Online interfaith gathering in spirit of talanoa will convene at COP29" (WCC news release, 30 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