Faith leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean will gather in Brazil for an ecumenical alliance advocating climate justice ahead of COP30, scheduled for November 10-21, 2025. Key issues include financing for adaptation, mining’s impact on the Amazon, and amplifying voices of those affected by climate change. The event aims to present a Call to Action to the COP30 Presidency.
In anticipation of COP30, a significant gathering of faith leaders from various traditions is set to occur in Brazil. This event aims to establish a robust ecumenical alliance, uniting voices from Latin America and the Caribbean to advocate for climate justice. Leaders from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic will participate, representing diverse ecclesiastical backgrounds including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed Churches, among others.
Keynote speakers scheduled for the gathering include Archbishop Marines Bassotto, Anglican Archbishop of the Amazon, and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, President of the Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishops Conference (CNBB) and the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM). Such prominent figures are expected to lend substantial weight to the discussions regarding climate action.
COP30 is slated to take place from November 10-21, 2025, in Belém, located in the Amazon region of Brazil. This conference marks a notable return to Latin America; the last COP was held in Lima, Peru, in 2014. The gathering of church leaders in Brazil is crucial as it will amplify local perspectives on the realities of climate change, the solutions they propose, and their pathways to engagement.
Critical focus areas for this congregation include the necessity for financial support aimed at adaptation and addressing loss and damage. Participants will also discuss the adverse effects of mining on the Amazon and the broader implications of deforestation and increased emissions on global warming. Listening to those most impacted by climate change, particularly indigenous and youth representatives, will be emphasized.
The participants will collectively develop a Call to Action, which will be presented in person to the COP30 Presidency. Organizations facilitating this meaningful event include the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, Anglican Alliance, Anglican Communion Office at the UN, Lutheran World Federation, CNBB, and CELAM.
The upcoming gathering of faith leaders in Brazil underscores the significance of uniting diverse religious traditions to advocate for climate justice ahead of COP30. With key emphasis on issues such as financing for climate adaptation, the effects of mining on the Amazon, and the voices of those most impacted, this collective effort aims to forge a strong ecumenical alliance for meaningful climate action. The resulting Call to Action will play an essential role in the COP30 discussions.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
