When it comes to the treatment of children and their involvement in issues that affect their future, the Churches’ Commitments to Children (co-developed by the WCC and UNICEF) serves as guide and a framework for all World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches. As underlined in the third commitment, “children are more exposed than adults to the impacts of climate change . . . [and] its consequences will be even greater in the lives of future generations, representing a threat to their very survival.”
In 2015, world leaders gathered in Paris to show a strong commitment to reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that fuel global warming. Yet, despite commitments by many, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report, delivered in November 2019, concluded that even if countries meet commitments made in Paris in 2015, a 3.2 degree temperature rise over pre-industrial levels is all but inevitable. Lasting systems changes are therefore urgent to address global warming.
Climate change affects every aspect of child rights. Only joint efforts at every level will enable us to bend the CO2 emissions curve and protect our planet for future generations.
This toolkit provides resources for churches, church-run schools, and summer camps to support intergenerational climate and environmental justice and promote care for children by stopping further global warming. All churches are encouraged to promote education and action to address climate change, reduce CO2 emissions, and protect the environment in their activities for and with children and youth.