For two weeks in November, thousands of people from across the globe will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). One participant in this annual gathering will be Christine Moffett, ELCA Witness in Society program director for environment and energy policy.
“Faith actors can offer a distinct moral perspective on the issue of climate change,” Moffett said. “The ELCA’s social message ‘Earth’s Climate Crisis’ articulates the ethical imperative to address our rapidly changing environment, and I hope that message is communicated at COP29.”
Each COP brings together countries to negotiate global strategies for addressing climate change. Faith actors play a role in these negotiations, serving as observers alongside trade groups, research institutions and activist organizations.
The last three decades have brought important technological advances related to energy transition and climate adaption, yet many countries continue to produce greenhouse gas emissions at rates that significantly damage and disrupt the earth. Faith actors, Moffett pointed out, can counteract this trend by reminding COP negotiators of their moral obligation to take bold and meaningful climate action.
Alongside other faith leaders, Moffett will host a conference event titled “From Policy to Practice: How Faith Actors Can Promote Locally-led Adaptation.” A diverse group of stakeholders will explore the gaps in strategies used to adjust to climate change and will collaborate on innovative solutions to address those gaps.
Prior to COP29, the ELCA will join over a dozen other faith communities in hosting a prayer vigil on Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C., calling on the U.S. government to lead by example and reduce our country’s emissions.
Moffett believes that recent natural disasters and weather-related events have only heightened the imperative to act on climate change. The ELCA social statement “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice” (1993) begins, “Christian concern for the environment is shaped by the Word of God.” Moffett agrees.
“As people of faith, we want to be hope-bearers in conversations that may seem hopeless,” she said. “We believe that change is possible, but it requires that we work together and live out our faith in a way that centers the health of our planet, justice for communities and the stewardship of God’s creation.”
