Los delegados juveniles de la FLM y otros participantes de la COP30 procedentes de diferentes partes del mundo se unieron al culto dominical en la congregación IECLB de Belém, Brasil. Foto: FLM/E. Albrecht
LWF delegation to UN climate conference seeks to promote evidence-based advocacy
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is participating in this year’s United Nations (UN) climate change conference,10-21 November, in Belém, Brazil, with the objective of promoting evidence-based advocacy and showcasing how activities by local communities and Indigenous peoples connect to global climate policy.
Its delegation of around 40 people – in person and online - at the 30th UN Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will highlight the impact of faith-rooted climate action, including side events co-hosted with other faith actors.
“COP30 in Belém is a crucial moment for the global community to reaffirm its commitments to climate action. For the LWF, it is an opportunity to show how our sustained advocacy has inspired local solutions to the climate emergency and policies that protect the most vulnerable,” said Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice.
For the LWF, COP30 is an opportunity to show how our sustained advocacy has inspired local solutions to the climate emergency and policies that protect the most vulnerable
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice
The 23 online and 12 in-person delegates represent 18 LWF member churches around the world, and the Communion Office. The host country LWF member church - the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB) – is supporting several events including worship in collaboration with other churches and faith actors.
In Belém, some of the LWF delegates will take part in the COP30 proceedings, while many of them will join the UN conference side events including a vigil for the Earth and a climate march.
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice, addressing participants during an interfaith gathering in the spirit of Talanoa dialogue, held at the IECLB Belém congregation on the opening day of COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
The round shape of the Belém Lutheran church building reflects the history of the local community, which is closely linked to struggles of the Indigenous peoples. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
LWF and other faith actors will co-host the Talanoa Dialogue, which offers a space to strengthen solidarity and exchange perspectives on climate justice. There will also be sessions highlighting Indigenous knowledge and environmental protection, and discussions on defending communities affected by the climate emergency. Other events will focus on promoting faith-based and scientific cooperation to limit global warming, advancing advocacy for climate reparations, and ensuring that the global transition to low-carbon economies is fair, inclusive, and rooted in human rights.
As in past COPs, youth will showcase their engagement for climate justice through different initiatives such as tree planting, raising awareness, organizing advocacy workshops, and participating in national climate planning processes.
LWF’s advocacy for a just climate includes resources that feature the contribution of its member churches and World Service country programs in mitigating the global climate emergency.
The LWF delegation to COP30 comprises church leaders—men, women and youth—from all continents, highlighting how advocacy has inspired local solutions to the climate emergency and policies that protect the most vulnerable. They join efforts with the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil and other faith partners in online and face-to-face meetings.
