Creation – Not for Sale
The LWF sees care for creation as a core calling and recognizes climate change as a matter of justice and human rights. LWF’s advocacy for climate justice focuses on the protection of the most vulnerable from the impacts of climate change and holding governments accountable to their climate commitments, intergenerational justice, and interfaith collaboration.
Since the 1970s, the LWF has raised a prophetic voice regarding the ecological and climate crisis through resolutions, statements, and action.
Following the call to advocate for climate justice, member churches and World Service programs have put concrete climate action into place across the communion.
Since 2011 when the UN Climate Change Conference COP17 took place in Durban, South Africa, the LWF has sent delegations to these high-level meetings. Here, young people from the Lutheran communion have been at the forefront of LWF’s engagement and critical advocates for climate justice.
"#TimeForAction is Now" reads an official sign at COP25, held in Madrid, Spain, in December 2019. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
The Lutheran World Federation ... furthers worldwide among the member churches diaconic action, alleviation of human need, promotion of peace and human rights, social and economic justice, care for God’s creation and sharing of resources.
Action for Justice Forum for Climate Justice
The Action for Justice Forum for Climate Justice is the space to convene LWF constituencies for joint discussions, strategizing, and engagement on policy, advocacy, and programmatic work. The forum includes member churches and, where appropriate, country programs and other relevant stakeholders. They work together to support advocacy at national, regional, and global levels to seek constructive ways to attain climate justice and creation care.
The objectives of the Action for Justice Forum for Climate Justice are to
- Facilitate sharing and mutual learning among relevant stakeholders within and outside of the LWF
- Provide a platform for mutual exchange, dialogue, learning, and shared understanding among LWF member churches and country programs
- Provide a platform for joint LWF advocacy campaigns and projects
- Provide a forum to convene LWF member churches, country programs, relevant regional or national institutions, inter-governmental and governmental actors, academic institutions, ecumenical and faith-based organizations, civil society actors to analyze contexts, and mapping needs to plan for Action for Justice themes strategically
- Promote interactive and long-term partnership for advocacy among LWF member churches, country programs, and relevant stakeholders
COP Delegations
- COP29 - Baku, Azerbaijan - 2024 ¶
- COP28 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 2023 ¶
- COP27 - Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt - 2022 ¶
- COP 26 - Glasgow, Scotland - 2021 ¶
- COP25 - Madrid, Spain - 2019 ¶
- COP24 - Katowice, Poland – 2018 ¶
- COP23 - Bonn, Germany - 2017 ¶
- COP22 - Marrakech, Morocco - 2016 ¶
- COP21 - Paris, France - 2015 ¶
- COP20 - Lima, Peru - 2014 ¶
- COP19 - Warsaw, Poland - 2013 ¶
- COP18 - Doha, Qatar - 2012 ¶
- COP17 - Durban, South Africa - 2011 ¶
Related Materials
LWF COP29 Expectations and Policy Demands
Events
Website: https://cop29.az/en/home
LWF Staff
- Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice
- Savanna Sullivan, LWF Program Executive for Youth
- Albin Hillert, LWF Communications Officer
- Eugenio Albrecht, LWF Communications Officer
Delegates
The LWF was represented by a total of 8 delegates attending in person and 26 participating online, from 15 member churches and 4 LWF World Service country programs or national committees. This broad participation reflects the global and inclusive nature of the communion.
In-person delegates came from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Georgia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, and the Evangelical Church of the River Plate.
Online delegates joined from the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, the Evangelical Church of the River Plate, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Georgia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, the Lutheran Church of Peru, the Mexican Lutheran Church, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, and the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Additional participants represented the LWF World Service country programs in Kenya and Nepal, as well as the LWF National Committee in Indonesia.
Related Materials
News
- Forty young climate activists call for results at COP27 climate conference
- COP28: Nominations for LWF delegation open
Events
Website: https://www.cop28.com/en/
LWF Staff
- Elena Cedillo, LWF program executive for climate justice
Delegates
A total of 62 LWF delegates participated in the event, representing 49 member churches. These included: Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, The National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation in Indonesia, Guatemala Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Malagasy Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Cape Church), Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia, The Church of Norway, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Lutheran Church in Liberia, Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP), Evangelical Church in Central Germany, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, Salvadoran Lutheran Church, Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, South Andhra Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Moravian Church in South Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hannover
News
- COP27: A small step in the right direction
- Germany: Taking climate action from local to global to local levels
- COP27: “The time to act is now!”
- COP27: Taking LWF’s climate justice engagement to the global level
- Forty young climate activists call for results at COP27 climate conference
- COP27: Call to nominate young people for LWF delegation
Events
Website: https://unfccc.int/cop27
Delegates
The total number of delegates of the LWF attending the event was 36, representing 32 member churches: Christ Lutheran Church, India, Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC), India, Church of Sweden, Guatemala Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Czech Republic, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), Evangelical Church of the River Plate, Argentina, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria, Germany, The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Lutheran Church of Peru, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Lutheran Church in Singapore, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saxony, Germany, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, Germany, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hungary, German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, India, Guatemala Lutheran Church, Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in El Salvador, Lutheran Church in Singapore, Lutheran Church of Peru, Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP), Indonesia, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, United Protestant Church of France.
News
- Norway: Nordic youth hopes for Krakow Assembly
- COP26: LWF Delegates “disappointed but not disheartened by the lack of results”
- Faith leaders: More must be done to achieve climate justice after COP26
- COP26: Faith organizations call on world leaders to “step up and deliver”
- COP26: Church leaders call for increased ambition for climate justice
- COP26: Call to “keep 1.5 alive” and lift up missing voices
- South Africa: Speaking truth to power with compassion
- COP26: People of faith demand climate justice for the most vulnerable
- LWF youth lead Green Reformation Service
- COP26: Together across faiths, for climate justice
- COP26: LWF’s youth speak out against injustices in the world
- COP26: Thirty-two young people to represent LWF at climate summit
- COP26: Climate crisis requires urgent action
- Faith leaders prepare for COP26: Urgent climate action needed
- Earth Day: Acting to prevent hardship and suffering in the future
- Earth Day: Rethinking our ecological footprint
- Vital to keep up efforts for climate justice
- Facing the climate emergency with faith and action
- Webinar series: Visions for transformative climate action
Events
- COP26 outcomes
- Now not later: Lutheran young adults look at COP26
- COP26: Energy Transition – Compassionate leadership towards a sustainable world
- COP26: Energy Transition – Deciding Our Future
- COP26: Faith in action for climate justice
- Informal interfaith gathering in the spirit of Talanoa dialogue
- COP26: Online workshops for LWF delegates
- LWF delegation at COP26
- Pray for climate justice
- COP26: Call for nominations to LWF youth delegation
- Dialogues to increase climate action - Session 4
- Dialogues to increase climate action - Session 3
- Dialogues to increase climate action - Session 2
- Dialogues to increase climate action - Session 1
- COP26: Together for the planet
- Hope for the future
- The world we want
Website: https://ukcop26.org/
Delegates
A total number of 32 LWF delegates attended COP26 , representing 30 member churches: Church of Norway, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, Evangelical Church of the River Plate, Argentina, Lutheran Church in Great Britain, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, Lutheran Church in Chile, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, Lutheran Church of the Republic of China, Taiwan, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark, The Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church, India, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, Church of Sweden, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salvadoran Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, Protestant Christian Batak Church, Indonesia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, Protestant Church in the Netherlands, Lutheran Church in Singapore, Lutheran Church of Saxony, Germany, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, India, Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia.
Delegates
- Mr Khulekani Magwazah, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, South Africa
- Ms Fernanda Zùñiga, Lutheran Church in Chile, Chile
- Mr Erik Anders Oliver Bohm, Church of Sweden, Sweden
- Ms Stephanie Joy Abnasan, Lutheran Church in Philippines, Philippines
- Mr Sebastian Ignacio Muñoz Oyarzo, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile, Chile
- Ms Erika Rodning, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Canada
LWF Staff
- Ms Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice,
- Ms. Pranita Biswasi, LWF Youth Secretary, India
News
- COP25 in pictures
- Indonesia: Advocating for climate justice
- “We must hear the cry of the Earth”
- With human rights in focus at COP25
- A light to overcome darkness, for climate justice
- Young climate activists represent LWF at COP25
- Faith communities mobilize in Madrid on eve of COP25
- No time to build resilience to climate change
- LWF looking forward to COP25 in Spain
- Seeking wisdom to listen to creation and learn from it
- “The wisdom of God woven into the fabric of creation”
- As Climate Summit begins, Churches Call for Action Now!
Event:
Website: https://unfccc.int/cop25
Delegates
- Mr Khulekani Magwazah, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, South Africa
- Mr Romario Dohman, Evangelical Church of the River Plate, Argentina
- Mr Wylie Cook, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, USA
- Mr Sindri Geir Oskarsson, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, Iceland
- Ms Helena Merle Funk, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, Gemany
- Ms Beata Anna Kolarczyk, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, Poland
- Ms Gloria Marthalena Samosir, Protestant Christian Batak Church, Indonesia
LWF Staff
- Ms Pranita Biswasi, LWF Youth Secretary, India
- Mr Fabián Wilches, LWF Senior Advocacy Officer, Colombia
News
- Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ by caring for our common home
- A strong basis to implement climate agreement but the poor have been left behind
- Climate change destroys livelihoods and ecosystems, LWF delegates remind world leaders
- What is our role as stewards of the Earth?
- Care for creation and future generations key issues for LWF delegation at COP 24
- COP24: Global church bodies urge transformative action to protect the most vulnerable
- On the way to COP24 in Poland
- Paris agreement: “Don’t water it down”
Event:
- LWF youth delegation at COP 24
- Inclusive Community Resilience and Confronting Poverty in Africa Workshop
Website: http://cop24.gov.pl/
Delegates
- Mr Sam SUKE, Lutheran Church of Australia, Australia
- Mr Sikiom Sagenan KISKU POLLOB, Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Church, Bangladesh
- Rev. Ida VARTIALA Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Finland
- Mr Lasse SCHMIDT-KLIE, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover Germany
- Ms Helena Merle FUNK, Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Northern Germany, Germany
- Ms Kathrin NATHO Evangelical Church in Central Germany, Germany
- Mr Sindri Geir OSKARSSON. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. Iceland
- Mr Edgar TOCLO Lutheran Church in the Philippines, The Philippines
- Ms R.B.Sherly PRIYANKA, United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India, India
- Mr Daniel Andy Hoffmann SINAGA, Batak Christian Protestant Church, Indonesia
- Mr Khulekani MAGWAZAH, Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa, South Africa
LWF Staff
- Ms. Caroline Bader, LWF Youth Secretary, Germany
Event: “Creation- not for sale” - LWF delegation at COP 23
News
Website: https://cop23.com.fj/
Delegates
- Mr Biruk Kebede ABETEW , LWF Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Ms Mami Brunah ARO SANDANIAINA , Malagasy Lutheran Church, Madagascar
- Mr Pascal KAMA, The Lutheran Church of Senegal, Senegal
- Ms Lily KWAW, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, Ghana
- Ms Ditebogo Caroline LEBEA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, South Africa
- Mr Khulekani Sizwe MAGWAZA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, South Africa
- Ms Mari SALL Mari SALL, LWF Mauretania, Mauretania
- Mr Cedrick YUMBA KITWA , Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo
News
- People of faith listening to the cries of the earth
- Connecting the local to the global at climate conference
- Advocates urge transition to low-carbon economy, clean energy
Website: http://www.cop22.org/
LWF Staff
- Mr. Martin Junge, LWF General Secretary, Chile
- Mr. Martin Kopp, LWF Climate Justice Advocacy Officer, France
- Ms. Caroline Bader, LWF Youth Secretary, Germany
News
- Climate justice must be prioritized, say ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches
- Faith leaders rally for signature of ambitious climate agreement
- Paris climate agreement hailed by ecumenical leaders
- Churches stand side by side in fight against climate change
- “Leave no one behind”
- Faith leaders urge action at UN climate talks
- Nearly 2 million people-of-faith petition on the eve of COP21
- UN climate summit results vital for world’s future
- Climate change is not an abstract reality for the Lutheran communion
- 500 trees, 500 faces for the Reformation anniversary
- Getting ready for a “Climate Train” to Paris
- LWF joins faith communities’ call for ambitious Paris outcome
- French religious leaders meet President Hollande on climate change
- LWF Welcomes U.S. and China Agreement on Climate Change, Hopes for Global Accord in 2015
Website: http://www.cop21paris.org/
Delegates
- Mr Jeff Buhse, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Canada
- Ms Pranita Biswasi, Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church, India
- Ms Martha Spangler, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, USA
- Mr Leiff Andersen, Church of Norway, Norway
- Ms Matilda Mattson, Church of Sweden, Sweden
- Mr Luis Flores, Lutheran Church of Peru, Peru
- Mr Warime Guti, ELC-PNG, Papua-New Guinea
- Mr Martin Kopp, Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, France
LWF Staff
- Ms. Caroline Bader, LWF Youth Secretary, Germany
News
- Increased LWF Advocacy Needed after Unambitious "Lima Call for Climate Action"
- LWF Delegation Joins Human Chain in Solidarity with Climate Vulnerable Communities
- 365 days of fasting launched at COP20
- LWF Launches Day of Fasting for the Climate
- LWF Youth Delegation to Advocate for Climate Change at UN Conference in Lima
Website: http://www.cop20lima.org/
Delegates
- Ms Pranita Biswasi, Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church-United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India; India
- Ms Raquel Kleber, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, Brazil
- Mr Martin Kopp, Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, France
- Ms Matilda Mattson, Church of Sweden, Sweden
- Ms Rose Stephens-Booker, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, USA
- Mr Piotrek Sztwiertnia, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, Poland
- Mr Elija Zina, Lutheran Church in Liberia, LWF Council member, Liberia
LWF Staff
- Ms. Caroline Bader, LWF Youth Secretary, Germany
News
Website: http://www.cop19.gov.pl/
Delegates
- Nahun STÜRTZ , United Evangelical Lutheran Church, Argentina
- Ms Raquel Kleber, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, Brazil
- Mr Warime Guti, ELC-PNG, Papua-New Guinea
- Ms Anila Esther RAVI SAMSON, United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India, India
- Ms Iwona Anna BARANIEC, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, Poland
- Mr Chris Böer,Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schaumburg-Lippe, Germany
- Mr Jeff Buhse, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Canada
- Mr Leiff Andersen, Church of Norway, Norway
News
Website
Delegates
- Ms Eun-Hae KWON, Lutheran Church in Korea, South Korea (LWF Council)
- Mr Joakim Book Jönsson, Church of Sweden, Sweden
- Ms Raquel Kleber, Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, Brazil
- Mr Sean Darryn Kuryszczuk, Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa, South Africa
- Mr Hierald Edgardo Osorto, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, USA
- Mr Mike Lulanga, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, Malawi
- Mr Viktor Liszka,The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary, Hungary
LWF Staff
- Rev Roger Schmidt, LWF Youth Secretary, Germany
Program
- Young people for Ecojustice at the Climate Change Summit in Durban
Goal
- Young people have put Ecojustice to the agenda of their churches and societies
Website: http://www.cop17durban.com/
Resources and Publications
- Creation - Not for Sale ( EN | DE | ES | FR | Estonian )
- Fasting for Climate Justice - A Lutheran Perspective ( EN | DE | ES | FR )
- Climate Hero - The Climate Justice Game of the Lutheran World Federation Youth
- LWF together green and just ( EN )
- LWF together the Earth needs you ( EN | DE | ES | FR | BA )
- Good Creation and Climate Change - A resource for reflection and discussion ( EN )
- Good Creation and Climate Change - Spiritual and Ethical Perspectives ( EN )
- Climate Change: Facing our Vulnerability ( EN | DE ) -
- LWI#5 - Special: Climate Change from the Lutheran World Information PDF edition - 2008
- Youth Toolkit on Climate Change ( EN )
- Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development ( EN | DE | ES | FR )
- Environmental Guidelines
- Concern for Creation - Voices on the Theology of Creation ( EN )
- The liberation of creation and the myth of unlimited growth ( EN | DE )
Contact
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