Global Alliance Of Religious Women Leaders For Climate Action Launched At COP29 In Baku, Azerbaijan

The Faith Pavilion at COP29, organised by the Muslim Council of Elders in Baku, Azerbaijan, saw the launch of the Global Alliance of Religious Women Leaders to Combat Climate Change. This event gathered 50 religious women leaders from eight major religions across 15 countries. Notable attendees included Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and co-founder of The Project Dandelion, and young climate activist Ridhima Pandey.

Robinson emphasised the significant influence religious leaders possess, capable of mobilising over 5.8 billion people—80% of the global population—to transform moral and religious values into tangible actions against climate change. "Religious leaders hold immense power," she stated, highlighting their potential to drive meaningful change in addressing the climate crisis.

The alliance, named "Women, Faith, and Climate," aims to engage women-led climate action alliances from diverse religions and regions. It seeks to leverage the powerful influence of religious women leaders to accelerate progress toward achieving global climate goals. By focusing on women's roles in addressing climate issues at both national and international levels, the alliance promotes best practices in environmental sustainability.

This initiative benefits more than 73 million people worldwide through major organisations such as the "Mothers' Union", the Buddhist "Tzu Chi Foundation", the "Brahma Kumaris" movement, and the "International Union of Superiors General". These groups play a crucial role in advancing women's participation in global climate action efforts.

The alliance plans to expand collaboration on projects like greening places of worship, tree planting, and promoting renewable energy use. It aims to raise global awareness of women-led climate efforts through media campaigns and inspiring stories that highlight their successes. By sharing these achievements, they hope to inspire more women to engage in climate action initiatives.

Furthermore, it intends to intensify advocacy for effective climate policies during upcoming global events, including COP30. Establishing a coordination mechanism will support communication and knowledge exchange among members, uniting efforts to tackle climate challenges effectively.

The alliance also seeks to strengthen collaboration among women's alliances from different faiths. By doing so, it aims to inspire more women to participate in global climate action efforts while highlighting their critical roles in addressing the climate crisis at various levels.

This strategic approach not only enhances cooperation but also ensures that women's voices are heard in discussions about environmental sustainability. Through these efforts, the alliance hopes to create a more inclusive platform for tackling global climate challenges.

With inputs from WAM