Faith leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean will convene in Brazil ahead of COP30 to advocate for climate justice. The gathering will feature keynote speeches from notable figures such as Archbishop Marines Bassotto and Cardinal Jaime Spengler. Key topics include financial aid for climate issues and the impact of mining on the Amazon, culminating in a Call to Action for COP30.
A gathering of faith leaders from various traditions is planned in Brazil to advance a collective call for climate justice ahead of COP30. This event will unite participants from Latin America and the Caribbean, including representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. Various denominations involved include Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed Churches, as well as indigenous peoples and regional faith organizations.
Keynote speakers for the gathering include Archbishop Marines Bassotto from the Anglican Church of the Amazon and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, who leads the Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishops Conference (CNBB) and the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM). Their insights will be crucial in shaping discussions about the intersection of faith and climate action.
COP30 is scheduled to take place in Belém, Amazonas, from November 10 to November 21, 2025. This will be the first COP hosted in Brazil since the last Latin American COP was held in Lima, Peru, in 2014. The event aims to bring the voices of Latin American church leaders to the forefront in order to better address climate change issues.
Essential topics for the gathering will include the necessity for financial support for adaptation and loss recovery, the adverse effects of mining on the Amazon rainforest, and the broader implications of deforestation on global warming. It will emphasize the importance of listening to communities most affected by climate change, including indigenous populations and the youth.
Participants will collaborate to create a Call to Action, which will be personally delivered to the COP30 Presidency. This event is organized by a coalition of prominent organizations, including the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, and others, highlighting the unified commitment to tackling climate change through faith-based initiatives.
The upcoming gathering of Latin American and Caribbean faith leaders in Brazil represents a significant effort to unify diverse religious perspectives in addressing climate justice. With a focus on critical issues such as financial assistance for climate adaptation, the impact of mining, and the voices of marginalized communities, this event aims to prepare faith communities for substantial contributions at COP30. The resulting Call to Action will be pivotal in advocating for policies reflecting the needs and realities of those most affected by climate change.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
