COP: Call for Nominations

As the world marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement and countries prepare to update their climate commitments (NDCs) in 2025, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is calling for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis.

The LWF is a global communion of 154 Lutheran churches in 99 countries. With strong local roots and a global voice, we are committed to climate justice, especially for the most vulnerable people, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. We believe that climate change and inequality are closely linked and must be addressed together.

Lutheran churches contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation among the most vulnerable at the local and national level. As a communion of churches, our engagement is rooted in the spiritual and theological perspectives of the Lutheran tradition. Our faith motivates us to cultivate an ecological sense of being human and a vocation to care for the well-being of all creation. 

LWF has issued substantive statements on climate justice and resources promoting faithful earth keeping since 1977, and in its most recent climate justice resolution, adopted at the 2023 LWF Assembly, the Communion Office was urged to strengthen its advocacy efforts at all levels. This includes encouraging LWF member churches to incorporate climate justice campaigns into their activities.

Since 2011, young adults have led LWF delegations to the UN climate conferences (COPs). They are actively engaged in their communities through a variety of initiatives, including tree planting, raising awareness, organizing workshops, and participating in national climate planning processes.

As we look ahead to COP30 in Brazil in 2025, the LWF remains committed to standing together in faith, action and hope for climate justice.

• COP30 will take place in Belém do Pará, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025, offering opportunities for in-person and online participation. More information can be found here: https://cop30.br/en
• The LWF is calling for nominations from all regions, with a strong encouragement to prioritize young leaders for participation in the UNFCCC negotiations at COP30. There must be a gender balance of at least 40%.
• The LWF delegation will be selected from the nominees. A wider group will be selected to participate online, and a limited number will be selected to participate in person, depending on the number of accreditations that the UNFCCC assigns to the LWF.
• Nominees will play a key role in shaping LWF's engagement with COP30, ranging from national-level advocacy to global mobilization.
• All LWF Member Churches are eligible to nominate one delegate, preferably with some understanding and previous experience in climate justice.
• Nomination endorsement should be from the leadership of the LWF member church.
• LWF delegates are defined as representatives of the LWF as a collective rather than representing their own church
• All nominees will have the opportunity to participate in the LWF Climate Justice capacity-building program, which includes workshops centered on relevant topics related to the UNFCCC negotiations and the current state of climate justice, and are invited to participate in the LWF Climate Regional Forums.

• Participation in climate negotiations involves more than just attending COP events; it requires ongoing national-level advocacy. Advocacy is not a one-time activity, but rather an ongoing process that takes place before, during and after a global climate summit.
• All LWF delegates are expected to engage in respectful dialogue within the delegation, embracing differences and fostering a safe and inclusive space where every voice is heard and valued.
• LWF delegates at COP commit to upholding the following core values: Mutual respect, Transparency, Confidentiality, Preparedness and responsiveness, Flexibility and openness
• In addition, delegates commit to the following responsibilities:
• Ensuring a safe and respectful environment within the delegation, including not sharing sensitive information about the work of other delegates (from civil society, faith-based organizations, or official parties) without consent. This is particularly important given that some participants may be operating in challenging conditions and in an environment of shrinking civic space. Our priority is to protect one another.
• Refraining from undermining agreed LWF delegation positions in any oral or written statements.

Before COP 30 

As an LWF delegate, you are encouraged to take the following steps to prepare for meaningful participation in climate advocacy:

• Familiarize yourself with LWF's climate justice work, including the latest resolutions, previous COP engagement, and key advocacy messages.
• Engage with your national delegation whenever possible. Inform them about your involvement, share your plans, and offer relevant expertise or insights.
• Know more about your country commitments for example in Nationally Determined Contributions - NDC https://unfccc.int/NDCREG and National Adaptation plans – NAPs https://napcentral.org/submitted-naps
• Share knowledge and resources within the LWF delegation, especially if your church has already developed materials or campaigns related to climate justice.
• Participate actively in the LWF Climate Justice Capacity-Building Program (details to follow), including preparatory meetings and planning sessions for in-person and online activities during the COP.
• Engage with civil society actors in your country and region. Build networks, alliances, and collaborative relationships in preparation for joint advocacy and action.
• Attend and contribute to the official orientation session prior to COP (minimum of 2 hours, possibly more), which will help ground the delegation in shared goals and approaches.
• Dedicate time to know more about the topics that will be discussed at COP30 and identify which topic you would like to follow.
• Given your regional context, we encourage you to connect with the relevant LWF Climate Justice Forum, either in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) or in Africa. This will allow you to exchange ideas and collaborate on regional advocacy efforts.
• Dedicate time to preparation by reviewing the following key resources (more detailed guidance will be shared later):
• The UNFCCC website https://unfccc.int/ 
• Host country website: https://cop30.br/en
• LWF web site https://www.lutheranworld.org/what-we-do/justice-and-peace/climate-justice

During COP 30 

(Participation, time, communication) 

• Ground your actions in faith by engaging in daily devotionals and reflecting on your dedication to climate justice.
• Support external communications by creating short videos and writing blog posts about your personal experiences to inspire and inform others.
• Actively participate in daily delegation meetings and contribute to internal communications by sharing notes from sessions you attend. This will help the delegation coordinate their efforts, share insights, and achieve more collectively.
• Network and collaborate with strategic partners through dialogue and relationship building.
• Identify key side and parallel events and, when appropriate, engage with them by asking questions, speaking with panelists, and introducing yourself as part of the LWF delegation.

After COP 30

(Blog writing, video creation, ongoing involvement and leadership) 

• Report back to the LWF through a short-written report
• Report back to your church about your participation in COP 30.
• Identify how you will continue your engagement in climate justice advocacy.
• Connect with the relevant LWF Climate Justice Forum, either in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) or in Africa. 

Deadline for nominations: 31 August 2025. Endorsement from the leadership of the LWF member church is required. 

Please refer to the following links 

• English: Nomination form COP30
• French: Formulaire de nomination COP30
• Spanish: Formulario de nominacion COP30
• German: Nominierungsformular COP30