Religious Communities and Climate Action

What is it about?

This study explores: a) what is being done by religions present in Catalonia (Spain) to address climate change; b) what the worldviews of the different religions are with regard to climate change; and c) if commonalities exist between religions, which elements they have in common when addressing climate change. We focus on SDG 12 (sustainable consumption) and 13 (climate action), two of the 17 global goals that represent an urgent call for action. We employ a qualitative phenomenological methodology involving discussion groups of fourteen different religions present in Catalonia. The results show that the religions implement good practices that contribute to climate action, and all of them have laid down principles to take care of the planet. All groups hold that a change in values is required to address the climate crisis and translate it into action. Moreover, a clear intention to establish interfaith partnerships for climate action is observed

Featured Image

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Faced with the great challenge of transforming a planet in crisis into the common home of all its inhabitants, all social organizations need to be involved, and religions play a leading role in this transformation. It has been observed that there are multiple commonalities in the actions promoted at the community level between religions, as well as in the virtues and values encouraged individually, to care for the planet. In the fourteen religions studied, two great visions regarding the planet and nature can be distinguished. However, although the rationale for why climate action and sustainable consumption must be carried out is different, in practice all religions respond to the moral imperative of taking care of the planet. Climate action is an element they have in common, and it promotes interreligious dialogue. This article contributes to existing research with an empirical study in a European region in which numerous religions are present.