The world is facing a triple environmental crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. In October and November 2024, two major UN COPs (Conference of the Parties) will address biodiversity loss and climate change. Anglicans will be represented at both events, to advocate for change.
At COPs, world leaders come together to measure progress and negotiate the best ways to address environmental crises.
- COP29 and Climate Change (November 11-22. Hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan): COP29 is the UN Climate Change Conference. It will bring together leaders from governments, business and civil society to advance concrete solutions on the Climate Crisis.
COP29 will focus on global responses to the Climate Crisis. It will discuss ways to advance the goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, including efforts to limit global warming, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and mobilize financing for these activities.
If we don’t phase out our use of fossil fuels, we will only continue to make the problems worse. But this major shift needs to be done justly.
- COP16 and Biodiversity (October 21-November 1. Hosted in Cali, Colombia): COP16 is the 16th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The focus was on collective action to halt and reverse nature loss. World leaders, governments, faith groups, indigenous communities, youth groups, businesses, financial institutions and civil society met to discuss how to implement a joint global Biodiversity Plan. The conference aimed to build on agreements made in December 2022, where more than 190 countries adopted an agreement to reverse nature loss by the year 2030.
The Anglican Communion believes that caring for creation is a core part of our faith. Biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution are interconnected crises that threaten the very fabric of life that God created. The loss of species and ecosystems not only grieves God but also impacts human well-being, especially for communities in vulnerable and conflict-prone regions.
By attending COP16 and COP29 Anglicans can express their commitment to restoring God’s creation and urge governments to take concrete steps. Anglicans are advocating for action that integrates indigenous wisdom, prioritises environmental justice, and recognises the spiritual and physical benefits of biodiversity conservation.
As a major focus at this year’s COP29 is tackling climate crisis through finance, Anglicans will advocate for just financing, that prioritises the world’s poorest. They will urge governments to “Choose Justice, by funding action that reduces damage and inequality.” They will call for the full funding of national plans for nature restoration and climate change responses, particularly in developing countries, using grants, not loans.
Specifically this will mean supporting country delegates to reach agreement on a ‘New Collective Quantified Goal’ for climate finance – a target for all countries’ climate funding in the coming years and the main hoped-for outcome of COP29. If this can be agreed, in a way that prioritises the voices of those with the least financially, it will be a big step forward in re-establishing trust. Many previous goals have been missed or become highly controversial, further delaying climate action.
At COP29, Anglicans will make five calls to tackle climate crisis. Download our 'Choosing Hope' report, outlining the Calls and ways for Anglicans to care for creation.
Call to Governments: Work with faith groups to ensure communities are resilient to climate shocks, particularly the most vulnerable.
Anglican Action: Take action for climate resilience. Participate in church-led community vulnerability mapping or join the Communion Forest and develop a net-zero plan for your church.
Call to Governments: Stop nature loss and prioritise peacebuilding efforts to prevent conflicts linked to environmental degradation.
Anglican Action: Programmes such as the Difference Course help Anglican communities explore the link between peace and environmental stewardship.
Call to Governments: Protect indigenous lands and recognise the sustainable practices rooted in indigenous worldviews.
Anglican Action: Anglicans are exploring and integrating indigenous knowledge through resources like A Lament in the Present and A Vision for Living Well.
Call to Governments: Ensure full funding of national plans for nature restoration, especially in developing countries, using grants instead of loans and phase out fossil fuels justly.
Anglican Action: The Communion Forest pilot twinning projects are examples of how Anglicans are actively funding restoration through international partnerships.
Call to Governments: Mandate that businesses disclose their environmental impact and adopt a whole-society approach to protect nature as a source of well-being.
Anglican Action: Churches are integrating nature into worship practices, especially during the Season of Creation, to highlight the spiritual connection between faith and creation care.
COP16 was a major focus for Anglicans this year. It was the first time that an Anglican delegation attended a COP16 Biodiversity Loss event. The delegation was led by Bishop Graham Usher, the Anglican Communion's lead on Biodiversity, and other Anglicans from around the Communion. The delegation worked to champion solutions for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and environmental justice.
Use the resources below to find out what Anglicans called for at COP16 and how you can support advocacy on biodiversity loss.
Download this resource outlining our main calls at COP16 and how Anglicans can work for joint action on nature loss.
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Read Bishop Graham Usher’s reflection on environmental theology and biodiversity loss. This resource provides biblical passages and reflections for small group discussions on creation care.
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This evidence-based document outlines the scale of biodiversity loss and its impact, helping Anglicans understand the urgency of global action.
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