This document is a joint faith-based appeal urging global leaders at COP30 to take decisive, ethical action on climate change, framing it as both a scientific necessity and a universal spiritual mandate shared across all religious and Indigenous traditions.
It also calls for all sectors to adopt sustainable, ethical practices—like reducing consumption, moving to renewable energy, promoting alternative ecological economies, and demanding accountability—to fulfill the sacred duty of stewardship and secure a just future.
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A Collective Call Across All Faiths and Wisdom Traditions: Tangible Actions for the Earth NOW!
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Friends, and Fellow Seekers in all denominations, faiths, and spiritual paths,
Sacred texts and scientific understanding have both clearly sounded the alarm regarding the consequences of human actions and greed toward creation and fellow human beings. A central teaching across human spiritual history is the command to love and care for the world around us, recognizing its inherent sanctity.
In recent decades, scientific experts and our daily experiences confirm that climate change has intensified, causing unimaginable disasters and disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable among us (super typhoons - Yolanda (Haiyan), Odette (Rai), Tino (Kalmaegi), Uwan (Fyung-wong); forest fires; sea level rise; pandemic; long droughts; hunger; extinction of species; etc).
The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) has convened nowadays in Belรฉm, Brazil, bringing together global stakeholders to operationalize existing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into tangible, high-impact actions. The urgency of the planet's rising temperature necessitates this focus to maintain the objective of restricting warming to 1.5 degrees C and allow the earth to breathe and regenerate.
State parties are mandated to deliberate on the critical pillars of the Paris Agreement, including implementation, financing mechanisms, enhanced ambition, and a just energy transition. To fulfill this mandate, all participating nations must improve their climate policy evidence base, refine relevant policies, and clearly articulate their support needs and available opportunities for the full realization of their NDCs.
As believers and adherents of various faiths and wisdom traditions, we jointly express this unifying call, to the talking parties and reminding everyone of the universal spiritual mandate we share as stewards of the Earth.
We recognize that these representatives of the parties may also belong to a denomination or belief tradition, particularly the Philippine delegation. Let us remind them of the spiritual and ethical obligations they should observe and practice.
We also support the organizations, indigenous peoples, advocates and religious leaders standing for us in this crucial gathering.
Join us dear brethren to revisit, renew, and affirm that caring for the planet is a profound spiritual and ethical duty, universally recognized across all faith traditions and Indigenous wisdom.
This mandate is firmly established in various doctrines and beliefs:
In Abrahamic traditions, it is seen through the concept of “dominion” (Genesis 1:28, interpreted as responsible stewardship), the Jewish teaching of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and the Qur’an's teaching of Earth as an amanah (a sacred trust).
Simultaneously, traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism underscore the need for planetary harmony through respectful reverence for all life.
Indigenous cultures stress that the sacred land requires a relational web of reciprocity, demanding honor, ceremony, and protection.
This shared ethical understanding is a powerful catalyst for our communities and long-term planetary health.
We appeal to all sectors—individuals, faith communities, businesses, educators, and policymakers—to take tangible, ethical actions like a reduce of consumption, plastic-use and pollution, carbon footprints and move toward sustainable lifestyles; to support renewable energy and divest from fossil fuels; advocate for equitable climate solutions that prioritize the most vulnerable; promote sustainable practices like agroecological villages; demand accountability from those in power in the government and corporate entities.
By unifying our spiritual conviction and sacred duties with practical stewardship, we honor our Creator/Source of Life, respect time-tested Indigenous knowledge, protect the Earth, and inspire a sustainable, hopeful, and just future for all beings.
November 15, 2025
1. Most Rev Pedro P. Fenis, Jr. - Filipino Katoliko (FK)
2. Timuay Labi Letecio Datuwata - Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG)
3. Al Duloan - Youth Leader
4. Romilyn Cruz, Alliance of Tri-People for the Advancement of Human Rights (ALTAHR)
5. Jen Cornelio, Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao
6. Bing Melis, Task Force Bantay Kalikasan
7. Fr Alberto Capol, Interfaith Movement for Peace
8. Achmad A. Musa, Ayunan Datu, Imam and Sultanate League of Bayanihan Village
9. Bishop Ed Fenis, Diocese of Davao - Filipino Katoliko
10. Jenelyn Balaro, Kusina Bayanihan sa Yabyaban
11. Fr Alejandro V. Notarte, Jr. - Filipino Katoliko
12. Abdulhasib S. Ditual, Pagrag ko Kabnar Org., Inc. Iligan City
13. Fatima Lintang - Ali, MPPM-MagCot
14. Datu Mario K. Kadingilan - Samfadan Fig-ulukan, Dulangan Manubo Tribal Justice & Self Governance
15. Grace Generoso, Mindanao Fisheries Network
16. Mindanao Tri-People Partnership on Food Sovereignty and Peacebuilding
17. Edward Intang Abelardo, Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples Youth Network
18. Panaghiusa sa Katawhan alang sa Pagpahiuli sa Lasang (People’s Unity for Forest Restoration)
19. Mera Pangawilan, Youth Leader
20. Fr William Requiso, Nagkahiusang Mag-uumang Organiko alang sa Kalambuan (United Organic Farmers for Development)
21. Edilberto Felipe, Kusina Bayanihan sa Cotabato
22. Rachel Tahay, Inged Fintailan
23. Toribio Bernadas, Nagkahiusang Mag-uumang Organiko (United Organic Farmers)
24. Faysal Mosol, Alliance of Bangsa Sangil Federation
25. Fr. Joel Bantilan, IMOVE Peace Davao Region
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