emirates7 - On the sixth day of COP29, the Faith Pavilion hosted several dialogue sessions focusing on critical climate issues. The discussions stressed the importance of improving global governance for sustainability, implementing nature-based solutions, transitioning to sustainable food systems, and integrating religious values into climate action.
Speakers emphasized how these approaches could address environmental challenges and promote climate justice by enhancing the resilience of communities most impacted by climate change.
Maureen Goodman, Programme Director of Brahma Kumaris UK, opened the event by stressing that the world is at a pivotal point in climate negotiations. She called for greater involvement of faith communities in tackling environmental issues and for unified efforts across climate summits to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable communities. Goodman also highlighted the importance of merging faith-based perspectives with other viewpoints to build a sustainable future.
The first session, "Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future," discussed the climate crisis and its link to inadequate global governance. Participants argued that the crisis reflects deeper systemic governance issues, which also affect desertification, pandemics, and conflicts. They advocated for coalitions of civil society, faith-based organizations, states, and other stakeholders to drive governance reforms and implement policies to curb emissions and mitigate environmental harm.
The second session, "Just Transition to Sustainable Food System in Communities," focused on the impact of climate change on small-scale farmers and the challenges they face. Speakers highlighted the vital role of women in achieving food security, especially in rural areas, and the need to empower them with resources and skills. They emphasized the creation of sustainable food systems that enhance community resilience, reduce emissions from agriculture, and adopt a holistic approach that connects people, food, and nature. Religious values of cooperation and environmental stewardship were seen as essential in achieving these goals.
In the third session, "Global EbA Fund: Catalytic Small Grants Advancing Innovation for Climate Resilience," the role of nature-based solutions in adapting to climate change was discussed. The session focused on how the fund supports innovative projects that build community resilience, protect biodiversity, and strengthen vulnerable ecosystems.
The fourth session, "Manifesting Faith Climate Action," explored the connection between religion and climate action. Speakers discussed how religious principles can guide climate solutions, emphasizing humanity’s responsibility to care for the Earth rather than exploit it.
The fifth session, "Faith in Action: Multi-Religious, Multisectoral & Intergenerational Collaboration for a Better Future," highlighted the need for cross-faith and intergenerational collaboration in addressing climate change. The role of the Faith Pavilion at COP summits as a key platform for climate action dialogue was also emphasized.
The final session featured the Children’s Eco Village by Islamic Help in Tanzania, a 38-acre initiative that provides care for orphans while promoting environmental sustainability through education on water and energy conservation. The session underscored the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into humanitarian and development efforts, warning that neglecting ecological issues such as deforestation and biodiversity loss could hinder poverty alleviation and long-term food and water security.
Speakers emphasized how these approaches could address environmental challenges and promote climate justice by enhancing the resilience of communities most impacted by climate change.
Maureen Goodman, Programme Director of Brahma Kumaris UK, opened the event by stressing that the world is at a pivotal point in climate negotiations. She called for greater involvement of faith communities in tackling environmental issues and for unified efforts across climate summits to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable communities. Goodman also highlighted the importance of merging faith-based perspectives with other viewpoints to build a sustainable future.
The first session, "Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future," discussed the climate crisis and its link to inadequate global governance. Participants argued that the crisis reflects deeper systemic governance issues, which also affect desertification, pandemics, and conflicts. They advocated for coalitions of civil society, faith-based organizations, states, and other stakeholders to drive governance reforms and implement policies to curb emissions and mitigate environmental harm.
The second session, "Just Transition to Sustainable Food System in Communities," focused on the impact of climate change on small-scale farmers and the challenges they face. Speakers highlighted the vital role of women in achieving food security, especially in rural areas, and the need to empower them with resources and skills. They emphasized the creation of sustainable food systems that enhance community resilience, reduce emissions from agriculture, and adopt a holistic approach that connects people, food, and nature. Religious values of cooperation and environmental stewardship were seen as essential in achieving these goals.
In the third session, "Global EbA Fund: Catalytic Small Grants Advancing Innovation for Climate Resilience," the role of nature-based solutions in adapting to climate change was discussed. The session focused on how the fund supports innovative projects that build community resilience, protect biodiversity, and strengthen vulnerable ecosystems.
The fourth session, "Manifesting Faith Climate Action," explored the connection between religion and climate action. Speakers discussed how religious principles can guide climate solutions, emphasizing humanity’s responsibility to care for the Earth rather than exploit it.
The fifth session, "Faith in Action: Multi-Religious, Multisectoral & Intergenerational Collaboration for a Better Future," highlighted the need for cross-faith and intergenerational collaboration in addressing climate change. The role of the Faith Pavilion at COP summits as a key platform for climate action dialogue was also emphasized.
The final session featured the Children’s Eco Village by Islamic Help in Tanzania, a 38-acre initiative that provides care for orphans while promoting environmental sustainability through education on water and energy conservation. The session underscored the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into humanitarian and development efforts, warning that neglecting ecological issues such as deforestation and biodiversity loss could hinder poverty alleviation and long-term food and water security.