Faith-based Engagement at COP28

News

‘The biggest NGO in the world’: What role can religious leaders and faith groups play at COP28?, 29 November 2023, Lottie Limb, EuroNews. Green

Faith communities are rallying to check climate change – their size and influence counts, 28 November 2023, Rachel Mash, The Conversation

Cardinal Czerny: What Pope Francis hopes to achieve by addressing the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, 27 November 2023, Gerard O’Connell, America the Jesuit Review

His Excellency Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan UN Environment Programme presents presents Laudate Deum to UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, 25 November 2023

Religions call on COP28 for climate pledge accountability, rapid shift to clean energy, 9 November 2023, Brian Rowe, Earthbeat

Secretary-General's video message to the “Confluence Of Conscience: Uniting Faith Leaders For Planetary Resurgence” Conference, 7 November 2023, by PaRD

Under the patronage of His Highness President of the United Arab Emirates In collaboration between the Muslim Council of Elders, COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Holy See, and the UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, 7 November 2023, by MCE

Abu Dhabi: Powerful interfaith document promising climate change signed by 28 faith leaders, 7 November 2023, by Nasreen Abdulla, Khaleej Times

Global faith leaders unite to declare support for urgent climate action, 7 November 2023, by Anglican Ink

Global faith leaders call for urgent action on climate change, 6 November 2023, by Christopher Wells, Vatican News

How ‘Confluence of Conscience’ Enhances the Role of Religions in Tackling Climate Change, 6 November 2023, by Dr. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi

UAE President welcomes participants of the Global Faith Leaders' Summit on Climate Action, 6 November 2023, by Gulf News

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Our World Urgently Needs a Dose of Hope Created by Our Will, Sincerity, and Belief in Justice for All People, 5 November 2023, by MCE

Global Faith Summit on Climate Action convenes in Abu Dhabi on November 6th, 4 November 2023, by MCE

Pope says he will attend COP28 climate summit in Dubai, a first by a pontiff, 2 November 2023, by Philip Pullella, Reuters

During his speech at the Youth for Peace Conference in Indonesia - Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders: Youth are the Beacon of Hope for Building a Better Future for Humanity, 29 October 2023, by MCE

COP28 President-Designate and Secretary-General of Muslim Council of Elders discuss upcoming Religious Leaders Summit and COP28 Faith Pavilion, 20 October 2023, by WAM

Faith in Action: How Religious Communities Can Lead the Fight Against Climate Change, 17 October 2023, by Earth.org

The Pope’s global warming challenge to world leaders, 15 October 2023, By AS Daily Star.

Pope Francis calls out UAE fossil fuel exports ahead of Cop28, 5 October 2023, By MEE.

'Religion and Climate Change: Southeast Asia' conference kicks off with participation of 150 religious leaders, 4 October 2023, By the Muslim Council of Elders.

Confronting the Anthropocentric Mindset: Women, Faith and Climate Change, 28 September 2023, by Alyssa Ng, Center for Earth Ethics

Ministry Of Tolerance And Coexistence, Cop28 Presidency Sign Mou To Promote Tolerance, Human Fraternity During Cop28, 14 September 2023, By WAM.

Muslim Council of Elders Announces Launch of Council's "Environmental Preservation Charter" in Conjunction with COP28, 13 September 2023, By SEE.

Abu Dhabi to host global summit for faith leaders to address climate crisis ahead of COP28, 6 September 2023, By WAM.

Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders and Apostolic Nuncio Discuss Preparations for Faith Pavilion at COP28, 24 August 2023, By See News.

Faith Pavilion at COP28 will unite everyone to tackle climate change head-on, 3 August 2023, By Focus Content Squad.

Muslim Council of Elders, UAE Office of Special Envoy for Climate Change sign agreement to organise Faith Pavilion at COP28, 1 August 2023, by WAM, Emirates News Agency. Click for Arabic.

Muslim Council of Elders, UN Environment Programme invite participation in COP28 UAE Faith Pavilion, 20 July 2023, By Gulf Today.

UAE: World to see first-of-its-kind faith pavilion at COP28, 20 July 2023, By WAM, Khaleej Times. 

Muslim Council of Elders, UN Environment Programme invite participation in COP28 UAE Faith Pavilion, 19 July 2023, By WAM, Federation of Arab News Agencies.

COP28: I have faith in change happening, says Essex delegate, 19 July 2023, By Charlotte Rose and Laura Devlin, BBC News. 

World religions to share values and knowledge at COP28, 31 May 2023, By Vatican News.

Faith and Climate: The Road to COP 28, 15 May 2023, By Aleksander Esmann, High Atlas Foundation.

Looking toward COP28, faith-based organizations ask: Who is creating and co-designing the climate solutions?, 14 February 2023, By the World Council of Churches.

Other events and activities

• The Faith Voice at COP28 | Date: 30 November 2023 | Time: 8pm | Register.

• Episcopal Climate Advocacy at the UN: COP28 Kick-Off with the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation | Date: 27 November 2023 | Time: 8pm | Register.

• Bridging Belief and Biodiversity: Partnering with Faith Actors for a Greener World | Date: 30^th November, 2023 | Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm | Venue: Kenyan Pavilion- Expo City, Dubai

  • This side event calls upon participants and stakeholders to:

    • Recognize the Role of Faith Actors: Acknowledge the significant role that faith communities and actors can play in environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.
    • Promote Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between faith-based organizations, environmental NGOs, and governments to harness the potential of faith-based environmental stewardship.
    • Share Best Practices: Share successful case studies and best practices of faith-based initiatives that have positively contributed to biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.

• Press Conference: Faith Leaders' Statement on Loss and Damage | Date: 23 November 2023 03:00 PM | Register

• The role of compassion in the climate crisis: Nurturing mindsets for a sustainable future | Date: 22 November 2023 | Time: 4am PT / 7am ET / 12pm UK / 2pm SAST / 5:30pm IST | Register

• Emphasizing the crucial intersection of climate change, peace, and conflict, the Climate, Peace, and Security Working Group of YOUNGO, is organising a webinar on the role of youth in climate action and peace efforts by sharing best practices and exploring strategies to empower more young people on climate and peace activities. Date: Thursday 26 October; Time: 14:00-15:00 CET | Register

• Faith Leaders' Statement on Loss and Damage: The Moral Case for Action

  • Following the online dialogue held in June 2023, a coalition of Catholic NGOs collaborated to produce a statement focusing on Loss and Damage.
  • Social Media Pack
  • If you wish to encourage your faith leader to sign and support this statement, please follow this link: [Faith Leaders statement Support].
• Launch of the SDG13 Primer on Climate Action by UNEP, Parliament of the World's Religions, URI, and Yale FORE in September 2023.
• The ILC was established as a Special Group under the UNFCCC during the 2013 Conference of the Parties (COP) to support the informal gathering of faith-based organisations (FBOs) actively engaged at the UNFCCC. Find out how the ILC are engaged.
• The “Values Roadshow” creates spaces across many different Pavilions, side events and other spaces to explore humanity’s shared values and the coherent principles to be collectively embraced to advance climate justice. The Baha’i International Community to co-creating and co-designing spaces, or to list events that already align with a values based conversation.
• Climate Wisdom from COP28: This exclusive series aims to bring the latest in science, policies, and wisdom from the COP28 climate conference directly to the UAE community and Brahma Kumaris' global audience through:
  • Inspirational stories of change-makers driving real impact
  • Sharing of wisdom to inspire innovative solutions to tackle climate challenges
  • First-hand accounts of transformative moments from COP 28
  • In-depth discussions on key resolutions and agreements
  • Location:  Raja Yoga Center, Shop 2, Nasir Ahmed Lootah Bldg, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street, Umm Hurair First, Dubai
• A Gender-responsive Approach to Climate Action and Conflict Transformation in Building Climate Resilience in Africa: 
  • Date: 4 September 2023 | Time: 2pm to 4pm GMT | Link | 
  • About: Join the conversation in exploring the potent fusion of gender-responsive strategies and faith-based principles in #ClimateAction and conflict transformation as part of the Africa Climate Summit 2023
• The Africa Climate Summit's Statement of Faith read on 5 September 2023.

Thematic Consultations  

In preparation for COP28, The Faith for Earth Coalition hosts a Thematic Discussion Series to enhance the understanding of faith actors on the COP 28 priorities and climate-related priorities. This builds their capacity to introduce faith perspectives in the discussions at COP 28 and influence the decision-makers towards more ambitious and effective climate action.

1. Faith and Climate Change Session 1: Understanding COP28 Priorities (The Road to COP28) 

2. Faith and Climate Change Session 2: Understanding Loss and Damage 

3. Faith and Climate Change Session 3: Understanding Global Stocktake

4. Faith and Climate Change Session 4: Climate Finance

5. Faith and Climate Change Session 5: Faith at the Africa Climate Week

6. Faith and Climate Change Session 6: Faith and the Future: Empowering Environmental Stewardship through the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) | Date: 12 October 2023

7. Faith and Climate Change Session 7: FORUM2023 - Earth Democracy and the Rights of Nature | Date: 12 October 2023

8. Faith and Climate Change Session 8: Gender Inclusive Climate Resilience at COP28

9. Faith and Climate Change Session 9: Climate Advocacy for Policy Coherence
10. Faith and Climate Change Session 10: Adaptation and Mitigation towards Climate Change

Confluence of Conscience: Uniting Faith Leaders for Planetary Resurgence

Over the past years, faith-based organizations and figures have demonstrated clear commitment and leadership in coming together to address global challenges including environmental justice.

Date: 6-7 November 2023

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

participation by invitation only

Countless initiatives and actions exemplify this commitment such as the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and launched from Abu Dhabi to the world in 2019 – a declaration that specifically called for humanity to work to stop environmental decay.

Building on the historic interfaith environmental appeal launched from the Vatican on October 4, 2021 and signed by 40 faith leaders of diverse religions and backgrounds – a November 2023 meeting among high-level religious leaders will serve as a platform for robust discussions on the moral responsibility of nations, institutions, and individuals in addressing contemporary world challenges including the climate crisis and its impact on humanity.

About the Confluence of Conscience

The primary objective of the meeting among high-level faith leaders is to harness and sustain their collective wisdom, influence, and spiritual guidance to raise awareness about climate change and other global challenges facing humanity and to inspire concrete action to address them. By focusing on the common moral dimensions of religions and belief systems, we aim to ignite a profound sense of responsibility and urgency among nations, institutions, and individuals, driving them to adopt an accelerated approach to preserve the rights of future generations and the most vulnerable communities and protect the Earth's fragile ecosystems.

Themes

The meeting will revolve around the following thematic areas:

1. Moral Imperative: Exploring the ethical and moral foundations of religions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, and highlighting the spiritual imperative for preserving and restoring the Earth's equilibrium.
2. Faith and Science Collaboration: Encouraging an inclusive dialogue between faith leaders, women, and youth with the scientific community to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual teachings, forging alliances that strengthen sustainable development advocacy and sustainability efforts.
3. Policy Influence: Discuss strategies to amplify the voices of faith leaders in policy spaces, promoting climate justice, influencing decision-makers, and advocating for policies that reflect the shared moral responsibility towards the people and the planet.
4. Grassroots Engagement: Empowering faith communities and organizations, women, scientists, and youth to embrace sustainable practices, raise awareness, and undertake meaningful actions that contribute to sustainable development.

The Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Faith for Earth Coalition hosted this gathering, aimed at establishing an institutional mechanism to engage faith leaders in joint climate work over the next seven years.

Post-Meeting Reflections by Dr. Iyad Abumoghli

A Historic Event

More than 200 Faith Leaders, Scientists, Youth, Business Leaders, Women Leaders, and Politicians, came together in Abu Dhabi 6-7 November to unite their voices and adopt a powerful Interfaith Statement highlighting the common faith values that bring them together, strongly demand world leaders and decision-makers to urgently act, and demonstrate their leadership in committing their institutions to transformative actions.

The Global Summit was co-hosted by UNEP Faith for Earth, the Muslim Council of Elders, COP 28 Presidency, and the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence of UAE under the Patronage of the President of UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohamed ben Zayed.

Media

What's Next?

UNEP and its core-team coordinating partners including the Muslim Council of Elders, the Partnership on Religion and Development (PaRD), the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), COP 28 Presidency, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), and the Diocese of California, are pleased to announce that major progress has been achieved in preparing for the first-ever Faith Pavilion at COP 28. More than 70 sessions have been approved with more than 300 speakers confirmed over the period 30 November to 12 December. 

We invite you all to come visit the pavilion and engage in discussions around not only commitments but strongly advocating for a transformative climate action by all those concerned. 

The 10 most prominent points from the Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement on Climate Change

The first-of-its-kind Faith Pavilion

At this year’s COP28, UNEP and the Muslim Council of Elders, in close collaboration with the COP28 Presidency, have formed a strategic multi-partnership with FBOs and civil society partners to host a first-of-its-kind Pavilion in the Blue Zone.

The Pavilion will be a dedicated space for different faiths, traditions, and perspectives to come together to achieve a better future for planet Earth and humanity. The Pavilion will provide an opportunity to connect with religious representatives and activists dedicated to environmental protection and climate justice, while engaging new audiences on innovative solutions to the climate crisis.

Objectives

Programming will be centered around three strategic objectives:  

1. Encourage FBOs to engage with country delegates and increase their capacity to advocate for human and nature-centered negotiation outcomes at COP28 and beyond;

2. Increase visibility for environmental advocacy work by FBOs and other spiritual and religious actors, particularly those on the frontlines of the climate crisis and how this work contributes to the goals of the Paris Agreement; and

3. Promote multifaith understanding and create a space for spiritual reflection, artistic expression and prayer.

Read the Strategic Framework.

View the Toolkit

Timeline

• 20 November 2023: What you need to know about the Faith Pavilion.
• 6 November 2023: A programme was published and website launched.
• 16 October 2023: Session leads are required to confirm and share with the Core Team a final list of speakers.
• 27, 27 September and 4 October 2023: The Core Team invited all the session leads to a preparatory Logistics Session to discuss further details about the Faith Pavilion (e.g., capacity, location, accreditation, etc.) and plans for the session (e.g., number of speakers, format, available technology, etc.).
• 18 September 2023: The Core Team approved 75 Expressions of Interests, collaborating with the remaining 58 to merge their proposed sessions.
• 25 August 2023: The Core Team received, and is currently reviewing, 133 Expressions of Interest.
• 1 August 2023: The opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest to host a session at the Faith Pavilion closed on 1 August 2023. 

For further information about the Pavilion, click here.

Read the Evaluation Report