The COP29 climate conference has officially kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, with approximately 30,000 delegates gathering to address the urgent climate and environmental challenges of our time. While climate action, adaptation, and environmental sustainability dominate the agenda, the conference is set against a backdrop of complex global power dynamics that shape both the conversations and outcomes. For those closely following the negotiations, it’s essential to read the political landscape and understand how it influences the scale and ambition of climate commitments.

The faith community has a presence at COP29, bringing its voice to the calls for scaling up ambitions around climate justice and equitable solutions. We, faith leaders and faith-based organizations, are advocating for a fairer distribution of resources worldwide and addressing issues of economic and social justice that underpin sustainable solutions. We adopt a holistic view, linking climate change to questions of wealth distribution. This is for instance reflected in calls for a just transition to a greener economy, robust financing for adaptation, and secure loss and damage funds for those disproportionately affected by climate change. These calls address deep-seated power imbalances, underlining the need for scaled-up efforts to bridge the gap between ambitious climate goals and the means of achieving them. Currently, the world is falling far short of its ambitions. We are simply failing ourselves and the world we share.

During COP29, there is also an interfaith collaboration in a “Faith Pavilion,” where representatives from different faith backgrounds gather to discuss, advocate, and inspire action. Those interested can follow these events online; simply search for the “Faith Pavilion” across social media and streaming platforms to access live sessions and recordings.

Prayer requests

That world leaders will soften their hearts, hear both the “cry of the earth” and the urgent calls from youth activists, scientists, and vulnerable communities worldwide, and take brave decisions for action. Also, pray for the faith community to be brave and wise in conversations and to “knock on” the right doors during the conference.

By Mikael Jägerskog, Senior Policy Advisor, PMU – Swedish Pentecostal Churches working on Development and Humanitarian topics

Faith Pavilion’s Instagram 

Mikael’s Instagram