Introduction

In the lead-up to the 2024 Rio Conventions Conference of the Parties meetings, leaders, representatives, and organizations from diverse faith traditions united to address the urgent environmental crisis facing our planet. This Call to Action reaffirms the visionary spirit of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and recognizes that the crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing, demanding a coordinated global response.

Key Message:

“Advances in scientific knowledge, technical capacity, and material resources need to be matched by a parallel will for implementation. History has demonstrated that this gap between knowledge and action can be bridged by faith—religious faith, faith in humanity, or faith in the possibilities that emerge through collaboration.”

the 1992 Rio Earth Summit: UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (CCC), and Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). Since then, we have seen the global community come together to advance and reaffirm that vision in various ways. We recognize, however, that we are falling short in protecting the environment and safeguarding it for future generations: we are on track to miss the 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement, in the past 50 years we have lost approximately 70% of global biodiversity, and up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, affecting the livelihoods of about 3.2 billion people.

In the face of these challenges, the wisdom of Rio in 1992 rings true today: the crises of nature and biodiversity loss, climate change, and desertification, among others, are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing, demanding a coordinated global response. They reflect humanity’s discordant relationship with the rest of the natural world. As we face these interconnected challenges, a comprehensive and restorative approach is necessary to truly “make peace with Nature,” aligning with the principles of the Rio Conventions.

Advances in scientific knowledge, technical capacity, and material resources need to be matched by a parallel will for implementation. History has demonstrated that this gap between knowledge and action can be bridged by faith – religious faith, faith in humanity, or faith in the possibilities that emerge through collaboration. The inspiration to act in unique, profound, and collective ways, conscious of our responsibility to present and future generations, can ensure that words on a page become a lived reality for the planet.

To do so, to heal our fractured relationship with the natural world, requires cooperation and action at every level:

• Globally and nationally, we must realign policies and actions to reflect the urgency and interconnectedness of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation, ensuring that all efforts are consistent with the targets and commitments set forth by the Rio Conventions.

• Locally, we must encourage and nurture community-based, whole-of-society initiatives that honor and protect the ecosystems that sustain life.

• Internally, we must cultivate coherence between inner and outer restoration, recognizing that our personal and collective flourishing is inextricably linked to the health of our planet.

As people of faith and goodwill, we offer these as pathways towards a flourishing world for all. Dialogue and collaboration across boundaries and borders will be instrumental in overcoming the challenges before us. We, therefore, call for enhanced cooperation and partnerships across all lines of distinction to fulfill the objectives of the Rio Conventions and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Now, the fundamental challenge is to return to the spirit of collective effort and potential that animated humanity in 1992. Beyond trying to stop a downward spiral, if we muster the limitless human capacity to break through deadlocks, we can create unprecedented global solidarity and help bring about a better future for all.

Recognizing previous declarations and activities from faith communities on the importance of environmental care, we hereby sign this new Call to Action, reaffirming our commitment to the vision of the Rio Conventions and our sacred responsibility to nurture and protect our planet alongside the rest of Nature.

Related Resources

• Rio Conventions: https://rioconventions.org/
• Faith4Land Hub Home
• Faith-Led Best Practices
• Stocktake Report: Engaging Faith Groups on Land Restoration
• G20 Global Land Initiative