Strengthening the public role of faith-based communities in environmental protection

This contribution was also published in the MCAA Newsletter June 2022

I have recently been invited to give a flash presentation at a conference on Science Diplomacy highlighting the role of faith-based organisations in environmental protection. The series of contributions aimed at offering a community perspectives on interculturality and science diplomacy training

Science diplomacy has emphasized the need to identify and involve other actors alongside professional scientist and international institutions to fully deploy the power of science in addressing major global challenges.

In particular, the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic and the current environmental crisis have served as a stark reminder of the need for global cooperation across national borders, diverse cultural backgrounds and all generations.

As we explore the role of interculturality in 21st-century scientific action and societal engagement perhaps we are urged not only to take into account different cultures but also to unpack the role of various religious beliefs and values in this context.

At the very peak of the pandemic, last 12 May 2020, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, so addressed the world’s religious leaders on the specific role of faith communities in the pandemic: “We are all vulnerable and that shared vulnerability reveals our common humanity”, adding that the current crisis “It lays bare our responsibility to promote solidarity as the foundation of our response.”[1]

But are faith communities any relevant nowadays in the discourse about the future of our modern societies?

A report by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life estimates that there are 5.8 billion religiously affiliated adults and children around the globe, representing 84% of the 2010 world population of 6.9 billion.[2]

Many of the most important conservation places in the world are sacred and are deeply rooted in local spiritual and cultural traditions.[3] More than 7% of Earth’s land surface is owned by religious institutions, and a further 8% has sacred links.[4]

Moreover, a recent report by The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) has found that “[w]hile there are no specific figure estimating the total assets held by faith-based investors, there is strong evidence that illustrates vast accumulation of wealth and most likely represents trillions of global assets under management”.[5]

In the light of these figures there words of Guterres are perhaps no surprise as it’s no surprise the fact that International institutions are increasing recognizing the importance of working together with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to bring about sustainable development, particularly with reference to the environment.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has launched the Sacred Earth program in order to better articulate ethical and spiritual ideals around the sacred value of Earth and its diversity.[6] In 2010, the United Nations created the Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development (UN-IATF)[7] and, more recently in 2018, the Multi-faith Advisory Council (MFAC) with the purpose of providing strategic policy guidance around engagement with FBOs and so to deepen UN’s understanding of the intersections between religion, development, human rights and peace.

In 2015 the Catholic Church launched Laudato Si which has been hailed as one of the most important interventions in twenty first century campaigns for environmental justice. Around the same time an Islamic Declaration on Climate Change was launched in Istanbul and more recently the more comprehensive document “Al Mizan” sponsored by UNEP represents a covenant for all Muslims around the world on the environment.

At the more recent COP 26 in Glasgow, I personally witnessed how FBOs were visibly present catalyzing action with their advocacy power through various statements, informal negotiations fostering alliances for nature conservation.[8]

In recent years, religious leaders have increasingly shown great convening power around the theme of the preservation of our planet through strategic diplomatic actions including issuing a pre-COP26 appeal on climate change signed by all major faith leaders last October 2021.[9]

To conclude. For the majority of people on our planet spiritual values are key in driving individual as well as communitarian behavior. Through their emphasis on wisdom, social cohesion and interrelatedness FBOs represent therefore a strategic partner to science diplomacy to ensure effective sustainable development.

In particular, in the context of the current environmental crisis FBOs show the potential to not only effectively mobilize people on the ground in response to climate change but more importantly, moving from their deep seeded set of core values, to motivate large sections of society.