COP30

The 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) takes place in Belém, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon - a region sacred to Indigenous Peoples and critical for our planet's survival. For the first time in three years, the climate summit moves away from fossil fuel-producing states to a place where the voices of frontline communities can be centred. The World Council of Churches, guided by the conviction that Creation is a gift of God for us to care for and to share, addresses this crisis as a moral and spiritual imperative.

This moment comes as our world faces worsening climate impacts. Communities across Latin America experience unprecedented droughts, floods, and displacement. Yet this conference also brings hope: hosting COP30 in Belém places global attention on the Amazon, emphasising the region's ecological importance and the rights of Indigenous Peoples who have protected these lands for generations. Our commitment demands a radical change of lifestyle and a transformation of human consciousness, embracing an eco-centric approach that values nature for its intrinsic worth.

The World Council of Churches has participated in every climate COP since the 1992 Rio Summit. In June 2025, at our central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, we launched the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2034) - a 10-year commitment calling churches worldwide to intensify their witness through prayer, advocacy, and transformative action. This decade invites the body of Christ to move together in ecological metanoia for transformation (repentance leading to fundamental change of heart and life). 

As church leaders from six continents pledged their commitments, we began a journey of prophetic witness rooted in the biblical concept of jubilee, seeking the restoration of all things. 

At COP30, which is followed by the G20 Leaders' Summit, we bring this decade to the global climate stage, demonstrating our commitment to centring Indigenous wisdom - which provides essential wisdom for responding to the global environmental crisis - and frontline voices in the fight for climate justice.

Why COP30 matters for churches

For our congregations: Climate change threatens the most vulnerable among us - the communities our churches serve. This is an ethical, moral, and spiritual crisis, driven by the human sin of greed and overconsumption. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation impact food security, water access, and the ability of families to thrive. As individual Christians in local communities, we are called to pray for our planet and each other and commit to spiritual renewal to build resilience and sustain our engagement.

For our witness: This is a moment for churches to demonstrate prophetic leadership. Our witness stands with Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities, whose territories are understood by them as sacred and whose spiritual wisdom is essential to confronting the crisis. Our call to action is aligned with scripture's mandate to be caretakers and custodians of God’s Creation, recognizing that caring for life on Earth is a spiritual commitment. This crisis demands ecological metanoia—a radical turning of hearts, minds, and practices - and repentance from our complicity in systems of extractive capitalism and consumerism. As Chief Edmund Stuurman challenged us at the decade's launch: "Those who represent the Lion of Judah must roar like lions, not meow like house cats."

For our future: The decisions made at COP30 will determine whether governments raise their climate ambitions to limit warming to 1.5°C and provide the financial support developing countries need to respond to the crisis. We advocate for these policies, which are rooted in the biblical call to act justly and love mercy, insisting that justice, and justice alone, must be pursued. As faith communities, we reject ecological despair and maintain steadfast hope that this transformation is possible, drawing strength from our faith in the resurrected Christ.

Be at the heart of COP30 without leaving home

The World Council of Churches is bringing you live coverage from COP30 in Belém (10-21 November 2025) through our new Living Planet | COP30 On-the-ground WhatsApp channel.

What You Get:

• Daily live updates and COP30 highlights
• Powerful photos and grassroots stories from the frontlines
• Practical climate justice resources you can use
• Behind-the-scenes updates from WCC delegates

All delivered directly to your phone – mobile-friendly, shareable, and easy to use.

Join Now: Tap this link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6lmrGFSAt6sQ3Y2r2V Or scan: 

No phone number needed. Leave anytime. Updates appear in your WhatsApp Updates tab (separate from chats).

Share Your Story: Have a climate justice story to tell? Send photos, short videos (30-90 seconds), or reflections (200 words max) to: media@wcc-coe.org 

Help Us Grow: Please forward this to your networks – colleagues, church groups, and climate justice advocates. Every share helps us build a global community following COP30 through a faith lens.

Share the link in your WhatsApp status, post the QR code on social media, or simply forward this email.

Together, we can amplify the voices calling for climate justice.

At COP30, the World Council of Churches (WCC) joins with ecumenical and interfaith partners to advocate for climate justice that centres the most vulnerable. These calls emerge from decades of engagement with frontline communities, sustained theological reflection, and partnership with churches worldwide – all rooted in the conviction that we are called to be caretakers and custodians of Creation. This commitment is embodied in the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2034) that we launched in June 2025.

"A Call to Action toward COP30" was born from solidarity with frontline communities. In March 2025, faith leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Brasilia to share their lived realities of climate crisis. This prophetic document – delivered to Brazilian Minister Marina Silva – speaks truth, identifying the crisis as a moral failure rooted in the exploitation of the Earth. It reveals that sacred territories are being destroyed, environmental defenders face persecution, and COP promises remain broken. 

The destruction is driven by an economic framework that seeks "the unlimited and concentrated accumulation of capital.” The WCC deepened this engagement through July 2025, with continued participation demonstrating our commitment to amplifying voices from the frontlines, including the essential wisdom of Indigenous spiritualities.

The call demands action: fulfil climate finance through grants not loans; transition to 100% renewable energy; operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund immediately; and center Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and marginalized communities in all decisions. 

These demands reflect our core spiritual duty to act justly and love mercy. The ultimate goal is ecological metanoia - a radical turning of hearts, minds, and practices - to dismantle systems of domination that oppress God’s people and plunder God’s creation. As participants declared: "Faith is not neutral in the face of injustice." We pursue this prophetic uprising, inspired by hope rooted in action, believing that transformation is possible through the power of the resurrected Christ. Read and share in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Our main message for COP30

COP30 in Belém marks a defining moment for climate justice- a crisis the WCC frames as ethical, moral, and spiritual. Gathering in the Amazon, home to Indigenous guardians of Creation, we deepen the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (launched June 2025) with a call for ecological metanoia: profound change of heart and practice. At COP30 and the G20 Summit, we demand Jubilee for People and Planet - debt cancellation, just climate finance as grants, and ecological restoration. By centring Indigenous wisdom and frontline communities, we move beyond false solutions toward socio-ecological, spiritual, and civilizational transformation.

CALL 1: AMBITIOUS NDCs AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

MESSAGE

Transformative action begins with ecological metanoia, compelling governments to exercise their moral responsibility with concrete, measurable commitments matching the crisis scale—a spiritual imperative to safeguard the sacred web of life and prevent catastrophe.

THE CHALLENGE

Following the International Court of Justice's July 2025 Advisory Opinion, states have extensive legal obligations to protect the climate system. Parties to the Paris Agreement are legally obligated to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that make an adequate contribution to achieving the 1.5°C goal. Yet current commitments fall far short. According to the IPCC, global emissions must decline by 43% by 2030—a gap that current commitments fail to bridge.

ADVOCACY CALL

Faith communities call on governments to exercise political will, leadership, and moral courage to raise ambition with strong Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that include clear and measurable emission reduction targets aligned with IPCC scientific findings and strong monitoring mechanisms with consequences if targets are not met. Countries must also agree on indicators to measure progress toward the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and submit National Adaptation Plans as strategic roadmaps for building resilience.

RELATED ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

ICJ advisory opinion: The International Court of Justice ruling strengthens the legal case for ambitious climate action. Governments can no longer claim climate action is voluntary—it is a legal obligation.

COP30 Presidency Global Ethical Stocktake: The WCC is contributing faith-based perspectives to this platform for dialogue among social, cultural, spiritual, business, scientific, and political leaders to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.

CALL 2: CLIMATE FINANCE AS JUSTICE—GRANTS, NOT LOANS; DEBT RELIEF, NOT DEBT TRAPS

MESSAGE

Climate justice demands that those historically responsible provide grant-based finance and reparations for ecological debt. This must prioritize solidarity with vulnerable communities, the "new face of the poor, the widow and the stranger," without creating new cycles of debt, fulfilling the imperative: justice and justice alone.

THE CHALLENGE

Climate change worsens sovereign debt burdens, severely constraining states' ability to invest in resilience and adaptation. Meanwhile, developed countries, with the greatest responsibility for the climate crisis, have consistently failed to meet their commitment to provide finances to support the majority of developing countries that are grappling with unprecedented climate catastrophes.

At COP29 (2024), countries agreed that developed nations would lead in mobilising USD 300 billion annually by 2035 for climate action in developing countries. They also set a broader goal to mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion per year from all public and private sources by the same date. However, without concrete implementation strategies, these commitments risk becoming empty promises.

ADVOCACY CALL

Developed countries must provide the more than USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance needed by 2035 through just models of financing which ensure public grants, not loans, that are available, predictable, needs-based, and rights-and-gender responsive for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage. We call for canceling unjust and unsustainable sovereign debts without imposing economic policy conditions, creating a UN Convention on Sovereign Debt, and providing non-debt-based climate finance.

RELATED ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

Historical responsibility: Wealthier populations and countries that are responsible for the bulk of emissions must take the lead not only in reducing their own emissions, but also in financing emission reductions in poorer nations. They must also respond constructively to claims for reparations for the loss and damage already suffered.

Baku to Belém Roadmap: Azerbaijan and Brazil are jointly developing a "Baku to Belém Roadmap" to provide guidance for achieving the USD 1.3 trillion climate finance target by 2035. While not legally binding, this roadmap could provide critical momentum—provided it offers concrete implementation strategies.

Turn Debt into Hope: The ecumenical Jubilee campaign launched in 2025 calls for canceling unjust sovereign debts, addressing the roots of debt crises, reforming the global financial system to prioritize people and planet, and creating a permanent UN framework for debt resolution.

CALL 3: TRUE TRANSFORMATION BASED ON A JUST TRANSITION—CENTRING FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND REJECTING FALSE SOLUTIONS

MESSAGE

Moving beyond false solutions requires centring the sacred wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities who understand Creation as a gift of God to be protected for generations. True climate action means pursuing ecological metanoia—a spiritual change of heart and mind—which compels a transformation, not just a technical transition, of our energy systems, economies, and ways of life to reflect God’s justice and establish an Economy of Life

THE CHALLENGE

At COP28 (2023), governments agreed to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems" in a just, orderly, and equitable manner to achieve net zero by 2050. However, current just transition discourses often hide false solutions. Energy, digital, and even military transitions are being built upon armed mining, new dependencies, and zones of sacrifice.

Minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are taken from Indigenous and rural territories in Africa, Latin America, and Asia—while profits flow North and communities face displacement, violence, and militarisation. What is presented as green and clean is in fact a new cycle of exploitation, a colonialism in green disguise.

ADVOCACY CALL

We need to accelerate a just transition to 100% renewable energy, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, ensure decent jobs for all, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and other marginalised groups throughout the transition process. However, more than transition, we need transformation that is socio-ecological, spiritual, and civilizational.

We remain critical of discourses that hide false solutions built upon armed mining, new dependencies, and zones of sacrifice. True transformation defends the rights of peoples and of nature. Indigenous Peoples are the main guardians of ecosystems and biodiversity-rich areas crucial for climate protection—they hold traditional knowledge, spiritualities, and worldviews essential for transformation to a sustainable future, and their voices must be lifted up and amplified in all climate negotiations.

As Rev. Dr Charissa Suli reminded us at the launch of the Ecumenical Decade: "Our lifestyle consumes 1.8 times what Earth can renew. Economic transformation must begin in the heart; theology must shape discipleship and discipleship must shape the world."

RELATED ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

Intergenerational Justice: The voices, experiences, and perspectives of those most affected and most vulnerable groups—children, youth, people with disabilities, women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers, and poor and marginalised communities—must be lifted up and amplified in all negotiations on climate change.

Gender Action Plan: The Gender Action Plan is essential for just climate action, ensuring empowerment and inclusion of women and girls so no one is left behind. Priorities include advancing gender-responsive climate action and building capacity to implement it, improving access to climate finance for women, and closing the gap in gender-specific climate data. Gender-responsive action must be mainstreamed into all climate policies, with updated NDCs serving as a concrete opportunity for integration.

Pacific Islands Witness: As Rev. Dr Semisi Turagavou from the Methodist Church in Fiji & Rotuma warned at the decade's launch: some Pacific islands may disappear within 20 years. He asked the global church: "Will you come alongside our boat before it slips beneath the waves?" Today's decisions will shape the world inherited by future generations—their voices must be heard now.

From the Amazon to the Arctic, from island nations to mountain communities, churches and faith leaders are taking action for climate justice. These stories demonstrate how ecumenical climate justice action is transforming communities and inspiring prophetic witness.

Share Your Story: Have a climate justice story to tell? Send photos, short videos (30-90 seconds), or reflections (200 words max) to: [email protected]

COP30 DAILY UPDATES

Real-time coverage from Belém including event reports, interview highlights, and delegation activities.

IMPACT STORIES

Climate justice initiatives that are creating profound change in communities.

Equipping churches and faith leaders with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration needed to take meaningful climate action. These resources connect theological reflection with practical implementation, support advocacy efforts, and facilitate education across diverse contexts.

COP30 resources:

Climate action resources:

ZacTax Toolkit

This ZacTax Toolkit aims to educate and enable churches to organise around the issue of tax justice, the campaign has recently released the ZacTax Toolkit. It is published by the New International Financial and Economic Architecture initiative (NIFEA), a joint effort by the Council for World Mission, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches, and World Methodist Council.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/publications/zactax-toolkit  

Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2034): Moving Together in Ecological Metanoia for Transformation

This brochure invites churches worldwide into a 10-year journey of climate justice action as spiritual pilgrimage and prophetic movement. It outlines why this decade matters, the vision for 2034, and six concrete pathways for action: transforming theology and worship, promoting holistic analysis, equipping faith communities, mobilizing collective action, advocating for systemic change, and investing in grassroots solutions. The resource includes commitments churches can make together and a Prayer for Creation from the Community of Grandchamp. It is published by the World Council of Churches and ecumenical partners worldwide.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/publications/ecumenical-decade-of-climate-justice-action-2025-2035

Blue Communities Project Guide
This guide helps churches and communities protect water as a public good and human right through the Blue Communities initiative. It provides step-by-step resources for launching Blue Communities initiatives in congregations or towns, advocating for public water services, banning bottled water and promoting tap water, and building community awareness about water justice. The guide is designed to be accessible and actionable, taking approximately 30 minutes to review and begin organizing local efforts for water adaptation and justice.
https://canadians.org/resource/bluecommunities-guide/

NIFEA Consultation: Theological Communique and Action Plan on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This statement addresses how faith communities must respond to artificial intelligence's impacts on inequality and justice as technology reshapes our world. It provides a theological communique on AI ethics, analysis of Fourth Industrial Revolution impacts on vulnerable communities, a faith-rooted action plan, and resources for church discussions on technology and justice. The document is published by the New International Financial and Economic Architecture initiative (NIFEA), a joint effort by the Council for World Mission, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches, and World Methodist Council.
https://oikoumene.org/resources/documents/nifea-consultation-theological-communique-and-action-plan-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-4ir-and-artificial-intelligence-ai-impacts-on-global-inequality-and-faith-rooted-responses

Roadmap for Congregations and Communities
This roadmap provides practical guidance for congregations and communities to lead transformation toward an Economy of Life and ecological justice, responding to the Global Ethical Stocktake's call to reimagine economic systems. It offers step-by-step frameworks, theological resources, and models from churches worldwide for congregational study and action. Published by the World Council of Churches.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/roadmap-for-congregations-communities-and-churches-for-an-economy-of-life-and-ecological-justice

Cultivate and Care: An Ecumenical Theology of Justice for and within Creation
This publication explores biblical theology of creation care, responding to COP30's focus on justice by returning to Scripture's mandate to cultivate and care for God's creation. It examines justice for and within creation, presents ecumenical perspectives on environmental stewardship, and provides theological resources for advocacy. Essential reading for pastors, theologians, and church leaders seeking to ground their climate witness in theological foundations. Published by the World Council of Churches.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/publications/cultivate-and-care

Turn Debt into Hope Campaign
This global ecumenical campaign addresses how debt traps prevent vulnerable countries from taking climate action, connecting to COP30 discussions on the $1.3 trillion climate finance goal. The campaign provides a biblical jubilee framework for debt cancellation, advocacy resources for churches, tools to engage governments, stories from affected communities, and links to ecumenical partners. Join the movement calling for debt justice and climate finance as grants, not loans. Led by Caritas Internationalis in partnership with the World Council of Churches and other ecumenical organizations.
https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org

Contemporary Ecotheology, Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship in World Religions
This 345-page publication explores how world religions address environmental stewardship and climate justice through contemporary ecotheological perspectives. Perfect for Sunday at COP30, it examines climate justice across faith traditions, presents environmental ethics in world religions, and provides resources for interfaith dialogue. The book is ideal for Sunday school classes, study groups, and interfaith gatherings seeking to understand diverse religious approaches to creation care. Published by Embla Akademisk in partnership with the World Council of Churches.
https://oikoumene.org/resources/publications/contemporary-ecotheology

Indigenous Spiritualities, Land Rights, and Climate Justice
This 84-page book explores Indigenous theological perspectives on creation, the connection between land rights and climate justice, traditional knowledge for environmental stewardship, and how Indigenous territorial rights are crucial to climate solutions. Today's COP30 theme centers Indigenous voices—essential to addressing the climate crisis. Available in print and PDF, this resource is essential reading for churches seeking to learn from and stand with Indigenous communities in climate justice advocacy. Published by the World Council of Churches.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/publications/indigenous-spiritualities-land-rights-and-climate-justice

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
This global initiative proposes a binding international treaty to complement the Paris Agreement by managing a just transition away from fossil fuels. The treaty framework includes three pillars: ending the expansion of coal, oil and gas production (non-proliferation), an equitable phase-out plan where nations with capacity and historical responsibility transition fastest (fair phase-out), and fast-tracking renewable energy adoption ensuring no worker or community is left behind (just transition). The initiative is endorsed by 17 nation-states led by Pacific countries, 101 Nobel Laureates, the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, and thousands of organizations including faith communities. Resources include treaty text, educational materials for congregations, and tools for faith community endorsement.
https://fossilfueltreaty.org

Prayer resources:

Prayer service for climate justice (English and German)

This material was compiled by members of the Ecumenical Centre worship committee as an inspiration for congregations taking part in the international bellringing for climate justice on 13 December 2009.
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/prayer-service-for-climate-justice

Season of Creation resources

Promotional, liturgical, and other advocacy resources plus activities for individuals and churches
https://seasonofcreation.org/resources/

Media resources and contacts for journalists covering the World Council of Churches' engagement at COP30 in Belém, Brazil (10-21 November 2025). The WCC brings decades of experience in faith-based climate advocacy and ecumenical cooperation to this critical climate summit.

QUICK FACTS: WCC AT COP30

What: World Council of Churches delegation participating in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

When: 10-21 November 2025

Where: Belém, Brazil (Hangar Convention Centre, Parque da Cidade)

Significance:

• Flagship global event for the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (launched June 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa)
• First UN climate summit in the Amazon region
• WCC has always participated at COPs since 1992 Rio Summit

Delegation Size: 18 accredited delegates (9 in-person per week, 10 virtual) plus additional member church representatives

PRESS CONFERENCE & MAJOR EVENTS

COP30 Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue

• Date: 10 November 2025
• Time: 11:00-14:00 (inclusive of lunch)
• Location: Lutheran Church in Belém, Av. Visc. de Inhaúma, 1557 Belém
• Media Access: Open to accredited media

COP30 Interfaith Vigil

• Date: 13 November 2025
• Time: 18:00-20:00
• Location: Anglican Cathedral in Santa Maria, Av. Serzedelo Corrêa, 446 - Nazaré, Belém
• Media Access: Open to accredited media

COP30 Ecumenical Service

• Date: 16 November 2025
• Time: 09:00-10:30
• Location: Anglican Cathedral in Santa Maria, Av. Serzedelo Corrêa, 446 - Nazaré, Belém
• Media Access: Open to accredited media

Interfaith Liaison Committee Press Conferences

Week 1:

• Date: 11 November 2025
• Time: 16:30-17:00
• Location: COP30 Blue Zone (Room TBC)
• Access: Requires COP30 accreditation

Week 2

• Date: 19 November 2025
• Time: 10:30-11:00
• Location: COP30 Blue Zone (Room TBC)
• Access: Requires COP30 accreditation

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

The following WCC delegation members are available for interviews during COP30:

WEEK 1 (10-16 November):

Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm (Germany)

• Title: WCC central committee moderator
• Expertise: Theological perspectives on climate justice, church leadership in environmental advocacy, European church engagement, Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action commitments.
• Languages: English, German

Rev. Henrik Grape (Sweden)

• Title: WCC senior advisor for Care for Creation, Sustainability, and Climate Justice ; Co-chair of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to UNFCCC
• Expertise: Interfaith climate advocacy, UN climate negotiations, ecumenical cooperation, Ecumenical Decade implementation
• Languages: English, Swedish

Athena Peralta (Philippines/Switzerland)

• Title: Director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development
• Expertise: Climate finance, just transition, Pacific Island perspectives, Asian church networks, Turn Debt into Hope campaign, Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice.
• Languages: English, Tagalo

Julia Rensberg (Indigenous person, Sweden) 

Tewaney Seifesellassie (Ethiopia) 

WEEK 2 (17-21 November):

Rev. Henrik Grape (continued from Week 1)

Dinesh Suna (India/Switzerland)

• Title: WCC programme executive for Land, Water, and Food. Coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network
• Expertise: Debt and climate nexus, economic justice, South Asian perspectives
• Languages: English, Hindi

Sindi Benita Simon Mendoza (Guatemala)

• Title: Indigenous advocate and WCC delegate
• Expertise: Indigenous rights, land protection, Central American Indigenous perspectives
• Languages: Spanish, English

Youth Delegates (TBC)

• Expertise: Youth climate movement, intergenerational justice, grassroots activism

KEY SPOKESPEOPLE

For Institutional Positions:

• Rev. Henrik Grape
• Athena Peralta 

For Theological Perspectives:

• Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm

For Indigenous Rights and Perspectives:

• Sindi Benita Simon Mendoza
• Julia Rensberg (Week 1)

For Interfaith Cooperation:

• Rev. Henrik Grape (ILC Co-chair)

For Ecumenical Decade Context:

• Rev. Henrik Grape
• Athena Peralta
• Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm

PRESS RELEASES & STATEMENTS

All WCC press releases related to COP30 will be available at: oikoumene.org/cop30

Scheduled Press Releases:

• COP30 coverage launch (6 November)
• Major event coverage (10, 13, 15, 16, 20 November)
• Interfaith message delivery to High-Level Segment (TBC)
• Executive committee statement on COP30 and G20 (TBC)
• COP30 wrap-up and assessment (22-30 November)

MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES

Photo Gallery: High-resolution images from COP30 events available HERE

Social Media: Follow live updates at:

• Twitter/X: @oikoumene
• Instagram: @worldcouncilofchurches
• Facebook: World Council of Churches

Hashtags: #COP30 #WCCLivingPlanet #ClimateDecade

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About the World Council of Churches

The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of 352 member churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries from Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, and other traditions. Founded in 1948, the WCC promotes Christian unity and acts for justice and peace.

The WCC has engaged with UN climate negotiations since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, participating in every Conference of the Parties. Climate justice is a core programmatic focus, integrating theological reflection, advocacy, and practical support for member churches' environmental initiatives.

Ecumenical Decade for Climate Justice Action (2025-2034)

Launched in June 2025 at the WCC central committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Ecumenical Decade calls churches worldwide to intensify their climate justice witness through six pathways:

1. Creation Care and Spirituality
2. Just Transition and Advocacy
3. Climate Finance and Debt Justice
4. Indigenous Rights and Traditional Knowledge
5. Youth Engagement and Intergenerational Justice
6. Interfaith Collaboration

The launch featured theological reflections and prophetic witness from church leaders spanning six continents, all united in officially beginning and pledging commitments and actions for the decade. The gathering emphasized the biblical concept of jubilee as a framework for systemic transformation—moving beyond charitable responses toward addressing root causes of climate injustice.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Primary Contact (COP30 Communications Lead): Valter Hugo Muniz

• Title: Communications Officer
• Email: [email protected]
• Available: Throughout COP30 (10-21 November)

INTERVIEW REQUEST PROCESS

1. Submit Request: Via email to [email protected]
2. Include:
   • Media outlet name
   • Reporter name and contact
   • Preferred interview subject
   • Topic/focus areas
   • Preferred date/time
   • Format (in-person, video call, phone)
   • Language preference
3. Response Time: 24-48 hours (faster for breaking news)
4. Technical Requirements: For remote interviews, WCC can accommodate most video conferencing platforms

PRESS ACCREDITATION

For COP30 Blue Zone Access: Media must register directly with UNFCCC. Information at: unfccc.int

For WCC Events Outside Blue Zone: Open to accredited media. Contact Valter Muniz for event details and logistics.