United Nations

During COP15 two new guides were issued to support faith communities who want to join larger efforts to protect the world's ecosystems through reforesting and facilitating conversations around environmental restoration.

Indigenous people have a "fundamental role" in protecting the planet from "unprecedented" social and environmental threats, Pope Francis said during a meeting with participants from the Forum of Indigenous Peoples at the Vatican Feb. 10.

Leaders from nearly 200 nations are meeting for the Dec. 7-19 U.N. Biodiversity Conference known as COP15. With scientists warning that the loss of nature is accelerating at dangerous speeds, Catholic activists are urging nations at the biodiversity conference in Montreal to act to protect life on earth at all levels.

The prospect of new protected areas in the 30x30 plan raises alarms for many Indigenous communities around the world, who fear they could be barred from their traditional lands in the name of conservation.

As representatives from nearly 200 countries gather for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, environmental activists living in the Amazon region hope the conference's proposals will generate new projects in favor of the forest and the populations that live in the region.

An event Dec. 8, titled Faith Voices Raising Ambition for a Strong Global Biodiversity Framework, marked the first time that faith-based organizations held an official side event at a U.N. biodiversity conference. Faith groups hope to raise their moral voices and contribute to implementation strategies at COP15 in Montreal.

Despite the failures of COP27, hope abides for a brighter — and greener — future, says Catholic Climate Covenant executive director José Aguto.

As world leaders gathered at COP27, the U.N. climate conference, to figure out how to deal with climate change, faith organizations found their voices through protests.