WCC NEWS: WCC explores partnership with Philippines climate campaign challenging fossil fuel finance

The World Council of Churches (WCC) met with Philippines climate advocate Angelica Dacanay on 26 September in Geneva, Switzerland, to explore partnership on climate litigation and frontline campaigns. Dacanay, from the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, presented a three-year campaign to protect the Verde Island Passage—called the "Amazon of the ocean"—from fossil gas expansion financed by major banks. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC 02 October 2025 Frederique Seidel, WCC senior programme lead for Children and Climate, shared  how WCC supports churches on legal action about financial institutions harming communities and ecosystems. The Verde Island Passage spans five provinces in the Philippines. It draws 2.6 million overnight tourists annually and supports fishing communities across the region. "Sixty percent of the known shark and fish species are in the Verde Island Passage," Dacanay said. The area was recently designated a Hope Spot for its marine biodiversity. Six fossil gas power plants and two liquefied natural gas terminals now operate there, with additional projects proposed. Fisherfolk report sharp declines since the plants began operating. "Before they said they were getting 15 to 20 kilos of fish in one catch," Dacanay said. "Now on a lucky day, they could get like a maximum of five kilos." Communities describe "a very strong plastic smell every time the gas power plant is operating" and "very loud noise from the gas power plant that causes them sleepless nights." Angelica Dacanay from the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED). Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC The campaign sheds light on the harms caused by banks directly through shareholder meetings and formal complaints. Community leaders have spoken at UBS and BNP Paribas shareholder meetings. Campaigners filed a complaint with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which financed one of the liquefied natural gas terminals. The campaign also conducts independent air and water quality monitoring to counter industry data and is building a regional network across Southeast Asia to challenge similar fossil gas expansion in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The campaign has already had some tangible success. One proposed liquefied natural gas terminal was cancelled.The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources must now establish water quality guidelines and designate "non-attainment areas" where polluting projects would be barred. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC Seidel described WCC's expanding work on financial accountability and climate justice. "We help churches to save children’s lives through climate litigation, with a focus on financial actors," she said, supporting churches in filing a soft law complaint and "developing  two to three hard law cases by churches about financial institutions." The programme aims to "sensitize on this blind spot for many people who have not imagined that they're harming children through their bank accounts." WCC and the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development discussed how to connect member churches with campaigners across Southeast Asia, where similar fossil gas expansion threatens coastal communities. They also talked about documenting harms to children and vulnerable populations for advocacy campaigns and legal challenges. Churches’ Commitments to Children Save Children's Lives Hope for Children Through Climate Justice  Sustainability and Economy of Life 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