Global Faith Leaders Summit
Interfaith Statement for COP28

Introduction
In the spirit of unity, shared responsibility, and Human Fraternity, and at thispivotal moment of the global climate crisis that demands transformativeaction to keep 1.5 degrees within reach and serve affected and vulnerable
communities, we, representatives of diverse faith and Indigenoustraditions, through dialogue with scientists, religious scholars, academics,
women’s organizations, youth, civil society, business leaders, andenvironmental policymakers, convened in Abu Dhabi in the lead-up to
COP28 to express our shared concern for the escalating climate impacts
that imperil our cherished planet, as well as our common commitment
to jointly address this global crisis, building upon our previous efforts,including the interfaith appeal for COP26. Our faith instills in us a sacred
duty to cherish not only our human family but also the fragile ecosystemthat cradles us.

Preamble•

We recognize the sorrow that many experience at this time and will
respond effectively.

•We welcome the contributions of science, traditional, religious, andIndigenous knowledge.

•We advocate for Human Rights in a clean, healthy, and sustainable
environment, a declaration adopted by the General Assembly in 2022.
This recognizes the intrinsic rights of ecosystems, encompassing
water, oceans, and seas, to exist, thrive, and rejuvenate.

•We welcome all into the embrace of Social Inclusion, building bridges
that transcend differences and nurture unity.

•We highlight the experience of faith groups in strengthening theresilience of local communities and Indigenous Peoples to climate
shocks, working on adaptation that is trusted by local communities
and Indigenous Peoples.

•We welcome actions by faith actors across different backgrounds
since COP26 to redirect their investments into nature-positive onesaligning with the goals of a transition to a new inclusive and justdevelopment paradigm.

•We acknowledge Faith-Compliant Finance for Sustainable Development,
harnessing resources for the well-being of all sentient beings today
and in the future.

•We recognize the connections between climate change, migration,and conflict and the potential role for people of faith as ‘environmental
peacebuilders,’ striving to forge pathways of compassion andmediation amid conflicts.

•We acknowledge the urgent need for a narrative of development andactions that align with values that foster well-being and sustainable
development, a framework rooted in hope and courage.

•We acknowledge our profound interconnectedness with one anotherand with the intricate web of life that envelops us. Recognizing
our limits, we humbly pledge to address these multifaceted crises
through the prism of values, ethics, and spirituality.

•We stand united in acknowledging the profound convergence of
wisdom across the world’s diverse faith, religious, cultural, andIndigenous traditions, each echoing with the resonant chords of ourcollective vision and mission.

•We embrace the mantle of Love, Stewardship, and Care for Creation,
recognizing our willingness and responsibility to safeguard the Earth.

•We recognize the Sacredness and Sanctity of Life and Nature,
honoring the inherent value of all living beings and the landscapes
they inhabit on Mother Earth.

•We stand firm for Environmental Equity and Justice, advocating for
fairness and equality as cornerstones of a thriving world.

CALL TO ACTION
Transcending nations and traditions, we declare our steadfast commitment
and call upon Heads of States, Governments, non-state actors, anddecision-makers to act on the following principles:•Call for urgent responses by fast-tracking Energy Transitions,ensuring fairness and equity and what’s morally right.

◌Regard Mother Earth as a source of life that must be protected.

•Ask governments to overcome the linear growth paradigm and moveto a circular model that allows us to live a balanced and dignified life
in harmony with nature.

•Urge businesses and policymakers to adopt a rapid, just transition
away from fossil fuels, embracing clean energy sources that nurture
the Earth and safeguard its inhabitants unconditionally.

•Call on governments to promote sustainable agriculture and resilient
food systems that respect local cultures and ecosystems while
ensuring food security for all.

•Call on governments to enhance services to address the burden ofclimate change on human health, especially in the most vulnerable
and fragile communities•Urge governments, especially those endowed with greater resources,
to lead in curbing emissions and supporting climate mitigation andadaptation efforts in less privileged nations.

•Beseech financial institutions, IFIs, private sector, companies,
and governments to adopt responsible investments and businesspractices aligned with climate, environmental and social standards.

•Call on governments and stakeholders to recognize the inseparable link
between the human-made crisis affecting the climate and biodiversity
and adopt comprehensive actions that harmonize the restoration ofboth systems.

•Call on governments to establish accountability mechanisms forthe fulfillment of global and national commitments to inclusive
climate action.

•Call on policymakers to ensure inclusivity in Climate Transition: As wecollaborate for a sustainable future, no one must be left behind. The
needs of all people, especiallychildren, vulnerable communities facing
disaster and conflict, young people, women, and Indigenous Peoples,
as well as animals and nature, must be at the center of our endeavors.

•Implore governments to commit to the operationalization of new
financial mechanisms that address loss and damage, especially in themost vulnerable regions, and ensure that this fund is interdisciplinary,effective, and inclusive and directly reaches the most vulnerable or
the affected communities.

•Encourage an inclusive dialogue, during and beyond COPs, with faithleaders, vulnerable groups, youth, women’s organizations, and thescientific community to forge alliances that strengthen sustainable
development.

OUR COMMITMENT
We, as representatives of our respective faith, Indigenous, and wisdom
traditions, acknowledge our collective duty to:•Honor the threads of Interconnectedness and Interdependence thatweave us into the intricate fabric of life, reminding us of our shareddestiny.

•Herald the dance of Balance and Harmony, seeking equilibrium
within us and with the natural world that cradles us.

•

Encourage a paradigm shift in our relationship with Earth and all its
inhabitants, fostering a profound sense of reverence and responsibility.

•Champion the development of a faith-based ecological narrative,
continuous learning, and the integration of ecological teachingsand values within educational, religious, and cultural institutions,nurturing a holistic understanding of our interconnectedness.

•Actively participate in public discourse on environmental matters,
guiding our congregations and institutions to foster resilient and justcommunities.

•Lead the pursuit and reimagining of sustainable lower carbon
lifestyles and social progress rooted in harmony with the Earth andrespect for its resources.
Embrace Frugality, Resource Efficiency, and spiritual and wisdomoriented Lifestyles, forging pathways of minimal waste and mindful
living which fosters giving back to Mother Earth what we take from it.

•Change our consumption patterns, ensuring that we are mindfulthat our purchases and services reflect our ethical commitment toaccelerate the energy transition and achieve net zero by 2050, as
called for in the Paris Agreement.

•

Align financial investments with ethical standards, embracing
responsible and inclusive financing that supports a thriving planet
and its inhabitants.

•Commit ourselves to be attentive, intelligent, and responsible,
knowing that we must be the first to strive for development andjustice.

•Support the Faith Pavilion at COP28, the first of its kind, and continue
to convene in future COPs to commission a message of hope andaction at COPs.

•Work together with communities, governments, individuals,families, corporations, and the whole of society to deliver on ourcommitments and inspire others to do so.

•Pledge ourselves to Justice, cause no Harm, and Peace with all Sentient
Beings, including Nature, fostering a harmonious coexistence thatenriches both humanity and the planet.

•Raise our voices for Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation.

•Extend our hands in Doing Good, Charity, and Returning to Nature,nurturing the cycle of benevolence and transformation that sustains
all existence.

•Champion Equality, dismantling human-made barriers to ensure
inclusivity, equal participation, and empowerment for all.

•Uphold the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, defending the ancestral
wisdom that is entwined with the Earth’s well-being.

•Multifaceted global challenges can only be tackled if we work
together, people of all faith communities, supporting an effective
multilateralism to tackle the triple planetary crisis.

HOPE FOR CURRENT AND
FUTURE GENERATIONS
As people of hope and faith, we unite in Divine Wisdom bestowed onus, guided by an unwavering commitment to a sustainable future for all.
Attention to the suffering of many and the engagement among faithleaders in climate action will allow us to achieve these commitments andresults for the good of all.
As we stand at the precipice of history, considering the gravity of thechallenges we collectively face, we remain mindful of the legacy wewill leave for generations to come. We ardently implore all decisionmakers assembled at COP28 to seize this decisive moment and toact with urgency, weaving a tapestry of shared action and profoundresponsibility. The urgency of the hour demands that we act swiftly,
collaboratively, and resolutely to heal our wounded world and preserve
the splendor of our common home. In the process, we need to bringback hope for future generations.
Together, we extend our open arms to all people, inviting them toembark on this journey toward a future of resilience, harmony, andflourishing for all life on Earth.

Global Faith Leaders Summit
Interfaith Statement for COP28