COP30, in its last few days, is the United Nations’ 30th annual conference for discussions and negotiations on climate change. It’s taking place in Belém do Para, Brazil, a port city in the Amazon region, from 10-21 November.
A Rocha attendees at COP
For the fifth year in a row, the A Rocha Worldwide Family has a small on-site contingent participating in this conference as registered observers. In addition to three national team members – Seth Appiah-Kubi from Ghana, Samuel Chiu from Canada, and Ronald Rienstra from the US – A Rocha is joined by more than 30 others from 14 countries who are part of the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP), something that multiple A Rocha National organisations contribute to.
Some headlines
At the end of the first week, Climate Stewards (part of the Worldwide A Rocha family) and Dr Seth Appiah-Kubi, A Rocha Ghana’s National Director, shared these reflections:
This is shaping up to be an ‘Implementation COP’, the time for countries to turn past promises into real action in adaptation, finance and mitigation:
Adaptation – helping communities cope
Countries are working on plans to protect people and nature from climate impacts. Almost 100 ways to measure progress are being discussed and governments want to make sure these work for their own countries.
Climate finance – funding action
Developed countries have pledged $300 billion per year from 2026 and aim to raise $1.3 trillion per year for climate action. Negotiators are still figuring out how the money will reach the countries that need it most.
Mitigation – Reducing fossil fuels and emissions
The shift to clean energy is necessary, but countries want a fair transition. Developing nations need funding and technology support to move to clean energy without slowing their development.
Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell opened the second week by commending the Parties on their progress so far, but also issued a strong call to action:
‘There is a huge amount of work ahead for ministers and negotiators’, he said, ‘I urge you to get to the hardest issues fast – when these issues get pushed deep into extra time, everybody loses. We absolutely cannot afford to waste time on tactical delays or stone-walling. The time for performative diplomacy has now passed. Now’s the time to roll-up our sleeves, come together, and get the job done.’
And we should roll up our sleeves to continue the job of praying: for all voices to be heard, for climate justice to be prioritised and for concern for people and planet to be at the heart of all conversations.
After COP30 has finished, we will update this page with the team’s final reflections and conclusions.
A prayer
As people of faith, we pray that the decisions made in Belém will reflect wise stewardship, justice, and hope for creation.
Pray that policy makers and world leaders will be moved and act to protect God’s beautiful creation. Pray for faith groups to be well represented and their voices heard.
Each day during COP, UCB radio shared prayers put together and recorded by A Rocha UK . Here was the prayer we shared on day 1:
A Prayer for COP30
Journey to Belém
by: Juliana Morillo, Coordinator of Latin America Creation Care Network
Sovereign God, you chose to be born in a humble place,
among the poor and the shepherds.
Today you call us again… to Belém.
This time not guided by a star, but led by urgency,
by threatened life, by a groaning land.
Belém, city in the wounded Amazon,
where the cry of forests and peoples
rises and calls us to wake up,
to leave the temples and take our prayers
to the halls where futures are decided.
Yes… COP30 will be in Belém…
There, leaders and the powerful will meet,
and there too we long, Lord, to make our presence felt,
as your people, as witnesses, as the Church.
May your Spirit permeate and cast light in these meeting spaces!
May the cry of creation be heard in the halls of power!
No more COPs of empty speeches, no more agreements without action!
We pray, we cry out, we intercede:
– For countries to propose fair, ambitious and firm goals with clear plans.
– For climate financing to be fair and sufficient, and not reliant on loans that enslave
– For the immediate activation of the Loss and Damage Fund – without obstacles or barriers; not as a political gesture, but as an act of reparation.
– For the voice of Indigenous peoples, women and youth, climate migrants, and life defenders to be heard; and not only heard but included in decision-making!
We also pray for ourselves, churches, and faith communities:
that we may not be merely concerned spectators,
but a sensitive body, with a prophetic voice,
and a heart that loves and burns for justice.
Make us a Church on the way, that prays, accompanies, denounces and acts.
Make us a vigilant people, willing to challenge.
Because good intentions are no longer enough…
time is running out!
Because your Spirit cries out through us, demanding justice and conversion.
Sovereign God, be with us.
We go with you, Jesus, on route to Belém.
With your strength, we will all be part of this new birth
that your Spirit wants to bring forth…
in Belém, on earth, and within us.
Amen.
