Even as it opened, the UN Climate Change Conference COP 28 was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The BBC revealed claims that hosts, the United Arab Emirates, were planning to make oil and gas deals with 15 other countries at the event. Despite that, many Christian groups were represented there, some as part of the Christian Climate Observers Program, a non-denominational Christian presence advocating for God’s creation. All are, perhaps, encouraged by the fact that COP28 for the first time featured a ‘faith pavilion’. Evangelicals Now spoke to four leading Christian environmental organisations about their hopes and fears for the conference.
Jim Stump of Biologos, which seeks to reconcile faith and science, said: ‘Climate change is no longer an abstract possibility but a present reality for much of the world’s population. We believe that Jesus is on the side of the poor and vulnerable who suffer most and are least responsible for climate change, and as followers of Christ we stand with them. I [have been joining] with other Christians at COP28 to advocate for justice and responsible action by individuals, governments, and corporations.’
