Interview
Can you describe how “A Call to Action towards COP30” came to life? Who was involved in drafting it, and how did the collaboration across faith traditions and Indigenous groups shape the process?
Gordon: The initial idea came during a meeting at COP29 and since then the Call to Action has been an exciting ecumenical initiative, fruit of months of collaboration between different faith groups across Latin America and the Caribbean and globally. Catholic groups including Caritas, national and regional bishops conferences, the Laudato Si Movement and others are entering into a time of greater collaboration and a desire to work ecumenically. Many of the member churches of the World Council of Churches and ACT Alliance, such as the Anglican Alliance, are also wanting to broaden the ecumenical tent, so relish opportunities for greater collaboration. And they bring close partnership with Indigenous groups as they are embedded in local communities.
In the end the Anglican bishop in Brasilia, the Most Rev. Maurício Jose Araujo De Andrade, stepped up and offered the Cathedral to host the meeting in March, as well as staff to coordinate this meeting of faith leaders. We heard the reality from different community leaders, discussed the science and the faith imperative for action, planned our advocacy, and finished drafting the Call to Action.
The call articulates as priorities finance, loss and damage, renewable transition, adaptation, and inclusion. Why are these the ones chosen?
Gordon: The five priorities are identified because they are all very important and interconnected and they have been an ongoing part of the work of faith groups in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years. For example, loss and damage, particularly the noneconomic aspects such as loss of territory, Indigenous knowledge and plants, and impacts on sacred sites, has been a particular issue for many Christian organisations.
In many ways COP30 will be judged on whether it delivers clear commitments for how governments will mobilise the finance that is needed for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. We can no longer delay action on keeping fossil fuels in the ground and shifting investment towards renewable energy. Each new energy investment can lock in pollution for decades and is a missed opportunity to invest in renewable energy, often which reaches local communities quicker and cheaper.
How does the geographic focus on Latin America and the Caribbean—and the conference being hosted in Brazil—influence the priorities and tone of the call?
Gordon: The Call to Action is rooted in the realities of people living in the Amazon region and wider Latin America and the Caribbean. It is specifically a call from faith leaders in the region, with the invitation to other global faith leaders to sign up in solidarity.
It highlights some of the Latin American realities that form the backdrop of COP30 and need to be addressed. These include the increasing threats to environmental defenders, with nearly 200 killed in 2023, mostly in Latin American countries, as well as the need to tackle the social and environmental harm caused by current mining practices of metals, such as lithium, a core component for batteries in electric cars and solar energy storage. It also lands in a context where the Brazilian government is concessioning off oil exploration rights in the Amazon basin just months ahead of hosting COP30.
The call strongly roots itself in faith-based language of mourning and hope. How do you see spiritual values influencing climate advocacy and political mobilisation?
Gordon: A clear prophetic voice comes through the Call to Action. It affirms that the church stands in witness to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). With at least 80% of the population in Latin America identifying as Christian, this often means standing with our own church communities who bear the brunt of climate change. The document also expressed hope in a God who is renewing this world (Romans 8:19-21) and commits to working with all to bring change.
A spiritual understanding sees that we are not just engaged in public and political advocacy or technical negotiations but, as we understand from Ephesians 6:12, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”
That is why we also prioritise the ecumenical service, vigils, and marches that will happen in Belem, and are exploring how we can surround COP30 in nonstop prayer to break through some of the institutionalised and damaging ways of working.
What outcomes or concrete commitments do you hope governments and the COP30 presidency will make in response to this call?
Gordon: We need to see a commitment to phasing our fossil fuels in the final agreement, as well as individual commitments by countries to end fossil fuel subsidies and to shift the finance to support renewable energy access for the poorest communities.
We want governments to commit to providing the finance towards the $1.3tn identified in the Baku to Belém Roadmap. This cannot just be through delegating this responsibility to the private sector, that struggles to invest in poorer countries or those which are fragile or conflict affected, because there is little profit motive for them. Governments need to agree on how they will increase the amount of international public finance beyond aid, including taxing polluting industries and high net worth individuals to support climate action.
Read the full text of "A Call to Action towards COP30"
