WORKING WITH FAITHS
WORKING WITH FAITH GROUPS
All faiths have their own relationship with nature, expressed in their scriptures and teachings and also through art, song, dance, prayer and practical action. Drawing on their traditions, faith communities are working in countless ways to care for the environment.
Around the world, faith groups have immense influence socially, educationally, politically and culturally, both at national and local levels. This influence, combined with their spiritual insight and commitment, makes them one of the most powerful agents for social change in civil society.
Each faith has its own distinctive history and teachings, and its own unique relationship with the natural world. See below to find out more about the basics of each faith's history, beliefs and teachings on nature. Each section covers the major conservation themes of Habitat, Species and Footprint as well as links for further information.
'I was part of the generation that made the choice – the horrendous strategic blunder – of situating ourselves outside the institutions of faith. Now we have a chance to repent of, and reform from, that error.'
Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, speaking to the Christian Science Monitor in 2007
Faith Plans
Faith groups are developing Faith Plans, looking at how they can use their assets, resources and influence to drive practical action on the environment.
The Faith Plans framework is inspired by the success of the original ARC/UNDP 2009 Faith Commitments programme which resulted in more than 60 Plans that have profoundly shaped the faiths response to environmental issues over the past decade and more.
In this latest initiative more than 80 faith communities and faith-based associations, reaching out to nearly 158 million people, have committed to develop a plan.
Using video shorts to promote eco-action
Short videos increasingly serve as a key medium through which people receive information. Importantly, these videos have the ability to inspire viewers to take action. The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of California, hired Nas Daily Studios, which produced 50 one-minute short videos on religion and ecology between September and December 2024.
Nas Daily Studios is a leading producer of short videos on social media. The videos received six million views in total across six social media platforms. Bringing spiritual intelligence to bear on the climate crisis, the videos relate to solar panels on churches, Hindu teachings and vegetarianism, and faith-based tree planting. Additional videos highlight concrete climate solutions by religious institutions and communities, and key ecological messages that are organic to spiritual traditions.
The videos include Catholic, Episcopal, Indigenous, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Jewish, Sikh and other voices. The videos encourage viewers through ecological calls to action. Some of these videos were filmed at COP29. Online ecological ‘challenges’ to encourage practical action have also been launched as part of the video project.
Click below to watch some of the videos.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FAITHS & CONSERVATION
Get started
Key guidance documents
Interested in getting a collaboration or a project going with a faith community but not sure where to start? Check out these key guidance documents.
