WCC news: Talanoa for COP31: creation is a gift, not a marketplace

The World Council of Churches (WCC) co-convened an online interfaith gathering on 4 November in the spirit of the Talanoa Dialogue. Talanoa is a Pacific method that asks three questions: where are we, where do we want to go, and how do we get there. Dozens of people of different faiths met five days before COP31 opens in Antalya, Türkiye. COP31, Brazil 2025. Global faith communities gather - both in person in Belém and online - to bring ethical and spiritual voices to climate justice negotiations. Photo: © Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC 06 November 2026 "The temple of creation is not a marketplace; it's a gift to all life on earth, one that we are called to share and care for," said Rev. Henrik Grape, WCC senior advisor for Care for Creation, Sustainability, and Climate Justice. Grape co-chairs the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The committee, which brings faith traditions into UN climate talks, organized the gathering. Rev. Charissa Suli, president of the Uniting Church in Australia and representing the Pacific Conference of Churches, answered how to move from ethical reflection to ethical action. Pointing to the Good Samaritan, who "committed his own resources," she said love of neighbor "places responsibility on us, and asks, what are we willing to risk, share, and change?" Sister Maureen Goodman of the Brahma Kumaris said COP decisions should be driven by "the conscience of what is needed for humanity at this time," not by politics. Rev. Fred Milligan, retired Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor and environmental activist, said faith reminds people that human beings are not God, which makes people accountable. "This humility and repentance is the first step, I believe, in rebuilding trust" among traditions and nations, he said. Elena Cedillo of the Lutheran World Federation welcomed the afternoon session in Spanish. Report-backs spoke of accountability, climate finance, and spirituality. Closing the sessions, Grape said participants at COP31 would carry the message "as a call and spread it." During COP31, the Interfaith Liaison Committe will invite its list to a further dialogue. The conversation moves to Antalya. A WCC delegation will advocate at COP31 from 9–20 November as part of the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2034) Follow the delegation on the COP31 hub at oikoumene.org/cop31 and on the WhatsApp channel. Interfaith gathering in the spirit of Talanoa Dialogue at COP31 (2026) WCC at COP31 Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025–2034) WhatsApp channel: Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action #COP31 What can faith bring to COP31? Voices from the Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue 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