One of the sessions at the “Meeting of Spiritualities for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels” held in Santa Marta, Colombia. Photo: Milton Mejía
LWF joins faith-based advocacy efforts that place people and the planet at the center
(LWI) – As momentum builds on a timeline to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) joined faith communities discussing key issues of the global climate emergency, including the ethical dimensions of a just transition.
LWF co-organized the “Meeting of Spiritualities for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels” on 24 April, in Santa Marta, Colombia. This ecumenical and interfaith gathering was held in the context of the first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, convened by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands for key stakeholders.
During the event, Golda Ibarra, the LWF representative for Colombia and Venezuela, presented the key pillars of a just transition from a faith-based perspective. These were based on the recommendations set out in the policy Just Transition & Human Rights – Views of Faith Based Communities, which emphasizes the importance of justice, dignity, and inclusion in shaping the transition process.
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice, reflected on the meaning of a just transition: “Faith communities emphasize the need for a just transformation that places the dignity of people and the wellbeing of our common home at the center, ensuring that those most affected are protected and empowered to lead the transition toward a fossil fuel-free future”.
For the LWF, “it is about guaranteeing that decisions at the global level protect the most vulnerable communities and include them in shaping solutions,” she said.
Faith communities emphasize the need for a just transformation that places the dignity of people and the wellbeing of our common home at the center
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice
Rev. Milton Mejía from the Presbyterian Church of Colombia said the meeting had underlined a shared message of hope. “From our Christian faith, we are convinced that the gospel calls us to protect life in all of creation. It is urgent to safeguard life under threat.”
Promoting cooperation was part of the meeting’s agenda. Nathaly Quito, climate justice coordinator at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia said, “This space makes it possible to exchange experiences, build proposals, and advance just energy transitions rooted in local realities.”
The Santa Marta gathering was the first implementation-focused conference, intended to support those prepared to take practical action to implement a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels. Its outcomes are expected to contribute to the next United Nations climate conference, COP31.
