Holding Hope at COP30: Women of Faith Lead a Moral Call for Climate Courage

As COP30 unfolded in Belém last year, much of the world’s focus centred on negotiations, targets, and political commitments. Yet away from the main plenary rooms, a different kind of space was created. One that invited stillness, honesty, and shared purpose. At the TED Countdown House in Belém, faith leaders, women activists, Indigenous representatives, and youth campaigners gathered for the Multifaith Global Ethical Stocktake workshop, a gathering designed to reflect not only on climate policies but on the values and ethical convictions that must guide them.

The Women, Faith & Climate Network (WFCN) was honoured to participate in this conversation, which brought together people from across traditions who share a common concern for the planet and for communities carrying the heaviest burdens of environmental harm. The workshop created an environment where participants could speak from experience, listen deeply to one another, and consider how spiritual wisdom can support more grounded and just climate action.

Women spoke candidly about how climate change is affecting their communities and how faith sustains their work. One participant noted that “the climate crisis is also a crisis of meaning,” explaining how many people feel a sense of disconnection as the natural world around them changes. Another shared, “We cannot care for the Earth only in words; our actions must reflect our prayers,” a sentiment that resonated widely in the room. These reflections set the tone for an honest and forward-looking exchange.

While the workshop addressed the hardships many communities are facing. From unpredictable rainfall to food insecurity and displacement, it also highlighted the resilience that continues to emerge from the ground up. Women from across continents shared how they are supporting food systems, restoring degraded land, mobilizing interfaith groups, and educating younger generations. These stories serve as reminders that effective climate leadership is already happening, often quietly, in neighbourhoods, villages, and congregations far from global headlines.

A key theme throughout the session was the need for climate action to be grounded in ethical clarity. Participants reflected on how environmental degradation exposes deeper social and moral questions. Questions about responsibility, fairness, care for future generations, and respect for the Earth and for one another. Through dialogue and shared reflection, the group emphasized that any meaningful transition must ensure that those most affected, including women, Indigenous peoples, and low-income communities, are not only protected but also included as decision-makers.

The workshop also offered a moment to look ahead. With COP30 taking place on Amazonian soil, participants discussed the need for governments to approach this historic gathering with urgency and cooperation. Many noted that the policies agreed upon will shape the lives of communities for decades to come. As one woman said, “We each carry a responsibility to ensure that the future we hand down protects both people and the planet.” This appeal for integrity and long-term thinking form a strong message to policymakers and negotiators.

For WFCN, the workshop reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces where women of faith can share their experiences, knowledge, and ideas. These stories not only illuminate the realities on the ground but also show what is possible when communities draw strength from their values and their relationships. As we continue collecting and amplifying stories from our network ahead of our March 2026 gathering, this event has strengthened our commitment to ensuring that women’s environmental leadership receives the visibility and recognition it deserves.

Looking ahead, we encourage our members and partners to continue uplifting grassroots voices and to engage actively in local, national, and global climate discussions. Moments like the Multifaith Global Ethical Stocktake remind us that ethical reflection and climate action are not separate efforts; they are complementary. As the global community moves beyond COP30, we hope these insights will help frame conversations in ways that centre justice, compassion, and shared responsibility.

The work before us remains significant, but so does the collective strength within our communities. WFCN will continue walking alongside women of faith as they lead with clarity, resilience, and care. Demonstrating that meaningful climate action begins with grounded values and a commitment to the common good.

We invite all WFCN members and allies to:

• Submit your climate stories here: your voice matters, and your work can inspire others.

• Amplify women’s leadership: especially those working in silence at the grassroots.