Faith Leaders Demand Climate Justice, Finance, and Inclusion at Africa Climate Summit 2

By Thuku Kariuki - In Addis Ababa, leading African faith leaders united at Africa Climate Summit 2, calling for urgent climate action, finance, and inclusion ahead of COP30. 

Their joint statement urged governments and global partners to act on climate finance, cancel debt, empower marginalized groups, and promote peace as part of climate resilience.

A faith-centered workshop was held in Ethiopia’s capital during the summit. The session brought together organizations such as the ACT Alliance, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), and the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia. 

Other participants included the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Consortium of Climate Change Ethiopia, and several partner groups.

Several influential religious leaders spoke at the gathering. Abune Bernas, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, said:

“From our sacred Church Forests to the traditional practices that sustain food and life across Africa, we affirm that protecting creation is both a spiritual duty and a path to resilience. We call on leaders to safeguard these God-given systems, so that women, youth, and communities can nurture harmony that sustains life in all its fullness.”

Their statement drew on both the Bible and the Quran to stress the moral obligation to protect the environment. From Genesis (2:15) they quoted: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” They also noted that the Qur’an teaches that humanity is appointed as khalifah (stewards) on earth (Qur’an 2:30).

Faith leaders outlined specific demands for African governments. They called for accountability and transparency in climate adaptation programs funded by public money. 

They also urged international agencies, private sector actors, researchers, and academics to back adaptation finance and support community-led climate solutions.

Consultative session, with Faith leaders as they developed the Addis Ababa Faith Declaration ahead of ACS2 and COP30

Dr. Tinashe Gumbo of the All Africa Conference of Churches stressed the urgency of action.

“Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it directly threatens lives, livelihoods, and communities across Africa. We call on political leaders at the Africa Climate Summit 2 to prioritise concrete actions: deliver adaptation and loss-and-damage finance, close the adaptation gap, support indigenous and community-led solutions, expand renewable energy access, and create inclusive, resilient systems that protect the most vulnerable.”

With churches and mosques reaching millions across Africa, religious leaders highlighted their unique ability to mobilize communities and hold leaders accountable. They argued that faith institutions, deeply rooted in African society, must be seen as essential partners in climate action.

Africa Climate Summit 2, sponsored by the African Union, ran for six days from September 1–6. It drew African heads of state, government ministers, diplomats, international partners, civil society representatives, youth groups, and private sector leaders. 

Key participants included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Kenyan President William Ruto, and African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Faith leaders asked the summit to adopt a concrete Plan of Action backed by strong policy and regulation. They further urged support for research and innovation that promote greener economies, resilience, and sustainable growth. 

The leaders also demanded dedicated funding and policies that strengthen the leadership of women, youth, and people with disabilities in climate action.

The statement ended with a call for both moral conviction and practical action:

“Africa can build a future that is just, resilient, and rooted in both moral conviction and practical action. We can set a global example of how justice and resilience go hand in hand in shaping a sustainable future.”

Faith leaders pledged to monitor the outcomes of the summit, vowing to keep climate commitments alive long after the event.