Opening prayer service at the Anglican Cathedral of Brasilia on 19 March.
As faith leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, we have come together to reflect on the current reality of the climate emergency.
Our daily lives bring us face to face with the devastating impacts of climate change in the lives of our people and in the destruction and loss of lands that God has gifted us. We see the destruction of the Amazon and other ecosystems through large scale agriculture, mining and fossil fuel extraction in the name of “progress”. Those protecting our lands – environmental and human rights defenders – have been increasingly targeted.
We stand in solidarity with the people and communities most affected as we “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). At the same time, we maintain a steadfast hope in a God who is renewing our minds and our world (Romans 8:19-21) and who calls us all to action.
COP30 in Belém is a pivotal moment to reaffirm our commitment to global cooperation in our fight for climate justice. It marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a landmark commitment to limit global temperature rise. It coincides with the need for each country to present updated and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), showing their commitments to accelerate climate action.
The approach to COP30 cannot fall into the traps of recent years, with stalled progress on fossil fuel phase out, wealthy countries offering last minute deals, and broken promises on climate finance. Governments must respond to the urgency of the climate crisis and act with courage and vision to achieve the ambition that is needed.
We therefore call on governments and the international community to show leadership in the following priority areas
- Make good on climate finance promises. Commitments at COP29 fell far short of the finance developing countries need to tackle climate change. We urge governments to fully engage in the Baku to Belem roadmap and agree how they will provide the $1.3tn climate finance needed by 2035. This should not increase the debt burden but should be through prioritising grants and new forms of public finance such as wealth and polluter pays taxes.
- Ensure the Loss and Damage Fund disburses grants this year. Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean have seen lands and livelihoods destroyed through climate impacts. We urgently call for the full and immediate operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund by COP30. There needs to be new and additional funding provided by governments as well as streamlined and priority access for affected communities.
- Accelerate a just transition away from our dependence to fossil fuels. COP29 failed to agree the necessary action to phase out fossil fuels. This only brings greater suffering to those who have contributed the least to climate change. We call for stronger commitments in the COP30 Declaration to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, including repurposing fossil fuel subsidies away from big business towards climate action. At COP30 countries should agree to a plan to accelerate a just transition in all sectors.
- Support communities to adapt to climate change. Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean face devastating climate impacts and have shown resilience and creativity in how they adapt. To support their efforts, we call on governments to double adaptation finance, as pledged at COP26, and to submit ambitious National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Adaptation approaches need to prioritise community-led initiatives, the protection of key ecosystems like the Amazon and coral reefs, the territorial integrity and rights of Indigenous Peoples and the protection of environmental defenders.
- Prioritise the voices of those most impacted by climate change. Affected communities – including indigenous groups, children and youth, women and human rights defenders – need to participate in an equitable and meaningful way in climate decision-in order for their voices to drive just and effective solutions. We appeal to national governments and the COP30 Presidency to create enabling conditions for participation, fostering trust and solidarity.
We will join you in prayer and in action to make these demands a reality and work together for climate justice.
Signed by
Faith Leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean
Supported by…..
Brasilia, 20th March 2025