WCC news: Faith communities build momentum for ethical climate action ahead of COP30

When Latin American and Caribbean faith leaders met with Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva in Brasília in July, they continued a conversation that began in March. This follow-up meeting, building on an earlier gathering co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), shows how religious communities across the region are positioning themselves as moral voices in global climate talks. Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva joins faith leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean in Brasília, Brazil, last March to discuss strategies for meaningful engagement ahead of COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Photo: Bruno Dias Guedes 21 August 2025 The 28 July meeting was organized by the Faith Network for Climate Justice: Abya Yala, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Ecumenical Network. It represents more than dialogue—it signals coordinated action as COP30 approaches in November. COP30 is the annual United Nations climate summit where world leaders gather to discuss climate action. The WCC was represented by Jocabed R. Solano Miselis, a representative of the Gunadule nation from the Gunayala region in Panama. She is a member of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development's Working Group on Climate Justice. Solano Miselis attended both the March and July meetings, showing the WCC's ongoing commitment to climate justice advocacy. This increased activity responds to the COP30 Presidency's invitation to participate in a Global Ethical Stocktake. This initiative evaluates climate commitments through moral and spiritual perspectives, not just technical measurements. For faith communities, this creates an important opportunity to bring ethical accountability into international climate discussions. "Our role is not only spiritual. It is also political, ethical, and cultural," said Isabel Pereira from the Institute of Religious Studies (Instituto de Estudos da Religião). This statement captures how contemporary faith-based climate activism takes many forms. It reflects how religious organizations increasingly understand their responsibility in addressing what many see as the defining moral challenge of our time. Silva's response revealed both opportunities and challenges ahead. "Society must show its priorities. Religious communities have the power to confront misinformation and mobilize a global ethical consciousness," she stated. The minister asked religious communities for their support in prayer, so that COP30 can produce meaningful results. Faith leaders discussed "ethical shame"—the need to publicly expose differences between what governments say and what they actually do about climate action. They proposed training "bridge-builders" from religious communities who could help dialogue between citizens and government negotiating teams. "For the WCC, this engagement represents a critical component of the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action," explained Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development. "COP30 serves as a pivotal moment for demonstrating faith communities' growing influence in global climate governance." Neddy Astudillo from the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Center for Climate Justice and Faith observes how these initiatives connect global advocacy with local faith practice. The Bambú Collective plans to publish eco-theological materials for church congregations, bridging international negotiations and grassroots spiritual engagement. As November approaches, faith communities are preparing multiple events in Belém, including an interreligious gathering, dialogue sessions, and an ecumenical prayer vigil. These events will test whether religious voices can effectively counter what participants fear might become competing interests and instead create positive change for climate action. The meeting concluded with interfaith prayers for wisdom for COP30 delegations and remembered environmental activists like Chico Mendes, Dorothy Stang, and Berta Cáceres. "Faith is not neutral in the face of injustice," participants declared. Latin American and Caribbean faith leaders release “A Call to Action towards COP30” (News release, 20 March 2025)  More news on COP30 here 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 356 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