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In a side event hosted at the Faith Pavilion, the WCC brought together voices from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Indigenous spirituality to share unique perspectives on restoration, highlighting the pivotal role of faith in global environmental efforts.
Caroline Njiru from the World Resources Institute emphasized the significance of data in establishing credibility and trust among stakeholders. She noted that over 80% of the world’s population belongs to faith communities, which often serve as first responders to environmental challenges. However, she pointed out the need for better documentation of their impactful work and offered support from the institute to strengthen evidence-based advocacy in these communities.
The WCC delegation at the event included Rev. Dr Tolbert Jallah, Angelious Michael, and Avijit Chatarjee, with Dinesh Suna, WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food, moderating the session. Dr Awatif Sharaf (Brahma Kumaris) and Amelia Andrews (Child Fund) also spoke. They showcased interfaith initiatives like the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, Ethiopian churches’ commitment to reforestation, and campaigns such as Seven Weeks for Water and the Weekend of Prayers and Action Against Hunger.
In another side event organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification G20 Land Initiative, Suna highlighted additional WCC efforts, including the "10 Commandments for Food" and the Year of Jubilee campaign. He affirmed that it is the moral and ethical duty of faith communities to act as stewards of God’s creation, engaging actively in restoration processes.
A significant milestone of COP16 was the launch of the global stocktake report on engaging faith communities in land restoration by the G20 Land Initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This report further solidifies the role of faith-based organizations in advancing environmental sustainability worldwide.
