Faith leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean will unite in Brazil prior to COP30 to advocate for climate justice. They represent various denominations and will engage in critical discussions about climate adaptation financing, mining impacts, and propose a Call to Action for the COP30 Presidency.
Faith leaders from various traditions across Latin America and the Caribbean are set to convene in Brazil, creating a significant ecumenical alliance to advocate for climate justice. The participants will represent a diverse range of denominations, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed Churches, as well as indigenous peoples and faith-based organisations from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and others.
Keynote speakers are scheduled to include Archbishop Marines Bassotto, the Anglican Archbishop of the Amazon, and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, who serves as the president of both the Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishops Conference (CNBB) and the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM). This gathering will provide an essential platform for these leaders to voice their concerns and proposals in light of the upcoming COP30.
COP30 is slated to take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025, marking the first COP in Latin America since Lima hosted in 2014. It is imperative to include the voices of Latin American church leaders, including those of youth and indigenous representatives, as they can provide insight into the realities of climate change and share solutions to address this pressing issue.
Critical topics to be discussed include the necessity for financial resources to support adaptation and loss and damage, the adverse effects of mining on the Amazon, and the broader issue of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the participants aim to create a Call to Action, which will be delivered directly to the COP30 Presidency.
This significant event is organized by prominent organizations including the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, and others, reflecting a unified commitment to addressing climate-related challenges.
The upcoming gathering of faith leaders in Brazil signifies an important initiative to unite diverse religious communities in advocating for climate justice ahead of COP30. By amplifying the voices of the affected and engaging in meaningful dialogue, the event aims to highlight pressing issues such as financial support for climate adaptation and the detrimental impacts of mining. The creation of a Call to Action for COP30 underscores the commitment of these leaders to take substantial steps toward addressing climate concerns.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
