WCC NEWS: WCC statement reflects on outcomes of COP30 climate talks and G20 Summit

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee released a statement addressing the outcomes of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil and the G20 Summit in South Africa, both of which recently concluded.  Thousands of people from around the world walked through the streets of Belém, Brazil on 15 November, reclaiming public space to demand real action at COP30, the UN climate conference. Photo: Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC 25 November 2025 “Underneath all political and economic questions connected with the ecological crisis of our time, there are deeply spiritual and moral questions,” reads the statement. “Indeed, more than a political or technological problem, humanity’s collective inability or unwillingness to commit to taking the needed action to avert climate catastrophe represents a profound spiritual and ethical crisis, a failure of moral responsibility, a lack of justice and compassion.“ The statement calls on churches to deepen the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action, and calls on governments to accelerate a transition to renewable energy, among many other actions.  The WCC executive committee is meeting in Hangzhou, China from 20-25 November. WCC Statement on Proclaiming Jubilee for People and Planet: Reflections on The Outcomes of the Cop30 and the G20 Leaders’ Summit WCC work on Care for creation and climate justice Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action WCC central committee moderator reflects on church unity, climate justice (WCC news release, 20 November 2025) WCC general secretary: “WCC is being looked at as a source of strength and support” (WCC news release, 20 November 2025) WCC executive committee opens in Hangzhou, China (WCC news release, 20 November 2025) Photo gallery: WCC executive committee meeting in China 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