UNEP recently announced the launch of an exciting new initiative, the Multifaith Triple COP Call to Action, inviting leaders around the world to sign up to it. This initiative was coordinated by a coalition of faith-based organisations who are actively working on land restoration, and is supported by the G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI).
This unique Call to Action was created so that faiths can reaffirm their commitment to the original vision of the Rio Conventions, and to join their voices together in their sacred responsibility to protect all of nature, and our planet. You can sign either as an individual of faith, or on behalf of a faith organisation.
It's called the 'Triple COP' because it supports the three conventions signed at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit:
UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (CCC) and
Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)
This is a timely initiative, because this year presents a unique opportunity to take action. For the first time ever, these three Rio conventions will occur within the space of three months: October, November and December 2024.
'As people of faith and goodwill, we offer these as pathways towards a flourishing world for all' - Triple COP Call to Action
The Triple COP Call to action highlights that 'we are on track to miss the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5 degrees'. The Call to Action describes how we have lost around 70% of global biodiversity in the past 50 years, and 'up to 40% of the world's land is degraded'.
This negatively affects the livelihoods of around 3.2 billion people, which is over one third of the population of the world (8.2 billion in 2024).
'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' - Triple COP Call to Action
It is already October, and the three Conventions are taking place imminently, so please take a moment now to find out more about this once in a lifetime Call to Action.
Read the full Multifaith Triple COP Call to Action and sign the statement here.
Who drafted it?
The Multifaith Triple COP Call to Action was drafted, and reviewed, by representatives from a number of faith-based groups and organisations:
Anglican Communion
Baha'i International Community
Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa
G20 Global Land Initiative
ProSocial World
Soka Gakkai International
UNEP Faith for Earth Coalition
United Religions Initiative
WWF Beliefs and Values Program
The G20 Global Land Initiative also supported the drafting of the statement. This 'Group of Twenty' is an intergovernmental forum of developed and developing economies, which aims to 'prevent, halt and reverse land degradation'.
How the Faith Plans framework can help you
The Faith Plans Seven Key Areas framework begins with Key Area One: Assets. This includes information and guidelines to help faith organisations to explore how to manage natural assets such as land, forests and woodland, and nature in line with their values. Find out more at https://www.faithplans.org/land-forests-and-nature
If you would like more information about the Faith Plans framework or any of the Seven Key Areas, please contact us. We would love to hear from you.