WCC NEWS: New WCC monitor tracks food security, water justice, and land use across African regions

The World Council of Churches unveiled its second Living Planet Monitor today at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The publication focuses on central, north, and west Africa, monitoring sustainable food systems, land conservation, biodiversity, water justice, and climate resilience across the three regions. Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC president from North America and Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food and coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network launching the second Living Planet Monitor at COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Photo: Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC 20 November 2025 Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, WCC president from North America, led the launch as COP30 delegates turned their attention to food security and agriculture. Indigenous peoples and faith leaders joined the UN Climate Conference in the heart of the Amazon, to address global environmental challenges. "It's so exciting to be with our Indigenous brothers and sisters and people from all around the world," Walker-Smith told the gathering. "These reports are not only relevant; they are timely." The timing proves significant. Africa is preparing to host the G20 for the first time in 2025, bringing unprecedented global attention to the continent's development priorities. Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food and coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network, is the editor of this publication. "This publication gives you, under one umbrella, an overview of land, water, food, and climate—all under one platform," Suna said. "On the one hand, it presents the situation in the African continent on these issues; on the other hand, it offers inspiring stories from faith communities that can inspire others to take action to tackle climate change." Bread for the World senior leadership - Rev. Martin Krieg, director for Engagement and Communication, and Dr Ingrid Jacobsen, convenor of the WCC's working group on Land, Water and Food Justice - with the Living Planet Monitor issue 2. Partner organizations welcomed the resource. Bread for the World senior leadership - Rev. Martin Krieg, director for Engagement and Communication, and Dr Ingrid Jacobsen, convenor of the WCC's working group on Land, Water and Food Justice - received the publication at the launch. The Living Planet Monitor helps faith communities stay informed about environmental challenges and share good practices from church-based projects.   The report is available at no cost here  Living Planet Monitor, Volume 1, Issue 1, Nov. 2024 Follow WCC's COP30 coverage at www.oikoumene.org/cop30 COP30 Photo Galleries Launch of the Living Planet Issue 2 at #COP30 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