What’s happening this year?
The UN Biodiversity Conference, COP17 is taking place from 19 – 30 October in Yerevan, Armenia. A few weeks later, the UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, will be held in Antalya, Türkiye from 9 – 20 November. Both will bring together delegates from all over world, including the UK, to discuss the environment and climate change. The host nation for each meeting does a lot of work to set the agenda. This year, both the biodiversity COP and the climate COP have a strong focus on implementation.
Both conferences have had some success in getting countries to agree about what should be done, but recognise that putting these agreements into action has been less successful.
Biodiversity COP17
At COP15 in Montreal in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed. This was a framework to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, ensure the benefits of nature are shared equitably, and ensure the resources needed to implement the framework are shared equitably. High on the agenda this year will be discussions about how to implement this agreement, what resources are needed to get things done and how to monitor and report back so there is confidence that progress is being made.
Another key focus on the agenda for COP17 is the implementation of what is known as Article 8(j). This refers to the agreement that the traditional knowledge, practices and needs of indigenous people and local communities should be included in the decision making and implementation of these frameworks.
The Church of England and COP17
Bishop Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and the Lead Bishop for the Environment, will be leading the Anglican Communion delegation to COP17. They will be highlighting the need to listen to indigenous people, to make sure finance goes to those countries most in need, and to protect and restore oceans and rivers as one of the Lungs of the Earth
Bishop Graham will also be talking about our new theology publication, Hope for All Creation
Climate Change COP31
At the climate COP21 in Paris in 2015, in what became known as the Paris Agreement,
countries agreed to hold ‘the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels’ and pursue efforts ‘to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.’ And for the first time, at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, the final agreement specifically mentioned fossil fuels and the agreement to transition away from them.
This year in Antalya, the hosts want the discussion to focus on how these commitments can be turned into action. On the agenda are topics such as electrification, zero waste, energy efficiency, climate resilience and clean energy transition.
Part of the Paris Agreement includes every country coming up with their own carbon reductions target every five years, known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs. Another item on the agenda is how to get more countries to do this and to be more ambitious.
It is very encouraging that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be attending the meeting, indicating the UK’s commitment to the COP process. What’s missing this year is specific discussion around finance for adapting to climate change or to support the poorest countries dealing with loss and damage caused by climate change, which has been higher on the agenda for recent climate COPs.
The Church of England and COP31
The Church of England works closely with the Anglican Communion to engage with the climate COPs, and the focus is on ensuring the voice of young people is heard. We support the Anglican Communion’s Lungs of the Earth campaign to restore and protect God’s world. Learn more from Jo Chamberlain, National CofE Environment Officer on video here:
Jo Chamberlain, National CofE Environment Officer video
Worship our creator God and pray for progress to protect people and planet.
You can use the prayer below, written by Anusan Sivarasa from Sri Lanka, who will be part of the Anglican Communion delegation to COP17:
Dear God,
We thank you for the incredible diversity of life that you have placed in our hands, the trees, seas, mangrove ecosystems, rivers, animals and everything living on this planet.
During COP17, we ask you to guide us with wisdom, humility and an earnest desire to protect your creation.
May the voices speaking for nature and the people who don’t always get a chance to be heard find strength. May decision makers go beyond promises and take action so that biodiversity is protected, the ecosystems are restored, and the benefits of nature are equitably distributed.
Especially, may the efforts of the youth, and Indigenous People and local communities to conserve nature be heard and valued by all of us. Teach us to see that creation care is also taking care of one another, particularly of those vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change.
Lord, help us see that we do not exist apart from nature, but as a part of Your creation. Help us find the strength to become good stewards of the earth through our actions, not only through our words and prayers.
Let COP17 be an event of hope, cooperation, and commitment. And once we go back to our homes, help us take what we have learned here and make a difference in protecting the natural environment for future generations. Help us to find the courage to speak, the wisdom to listen, and the faith to act.
In Jesus Christ’s name we pray,
Amen
How can I pray for the COPs?
We can’t all attend the COPs, but we can pray about the issues and the people who are working to solve them.
Go outdoors and pray, on your own or with your church. Find a connection with nature, take a walk in the park or just look out of your window.
- Pray for Bishop Graham, as he attends COP17 in Armenia, and his focus on indigenous -communities
- Pray for the protection of indigenous land and the ways of living of indigenous people
- Pray for peacebuilding and reconciliation work to protect the planet
Faith communities have campaigned for COPs to deliver fair finance for many years, and this has dropped off the agenda for 2026.
- Pray for full funding of action to reduce damage and inequality
- Pray for a just transition to phase out fossil fuels and phase in renewable energy
Both COPs have a focus on action and we can pray that these come to pass
- Pray that countries will agree to commit to strong actions to protect nature and tackle climate change
- Pray that these meetings will lead to actions on the ground that make a big difference
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has said he will be going to COP31 in Türkiye.
- Pray for him and the UK delegation to both COPs
- Pray that they would have a bold voice that leads to ambitious commitments for action
(Our Diocese has put together COP31 Prayer Materials which can be downloaded here.)
How is the Church of England taking action on biodiversity loss and responding to climate change?
The Church of England recognises that caring for God’s creation is central to our Christian faith and the Church’s mission. The Environment Programme and the Net Zero Carbon Programme supports clergy, dioceses and parishes in responding to the climate and nature crises.
The Environment Programme helps churches care for God’s creation through worship, teaching, land management, biodiversity enhancements, community engagement and practical action. Rather than simply setting policy, the programme equips churches with resources and support to embed environmental stewardship in faith, practice, and mission.
The Net Zero Carbon Programme works across churches, schools, clergy housing, cathedrals and other buildings, to provide practical support to reduce carbon emissions. It provides grant funding and technical guidance to inspire action at every level.
How can I get involved?
Sign up to Eco Church if you haven’t already! It’s a great way to embed caring for creation across all areas of your church life. If you already are an Eco Church, make a plan to reach the next level of award. The CofE Environment Programme webpages have loads of helpful resources, stories and guidance to support you in caring for God’s Creation.
Think about how your church can reduce its carbon emissions. We’ve developed a Practical Pathway to Net Zero Carbon to help you start with small jobs. These can make a big difference to your energy bills as you work towards your church being warm and welcoming. There’s a great webpage to help you with a practical guide and video here! You can also encourage your PCC to make a plan for replacing your heating with a fossil-fuel free system once the current heating reaches the end of its life.
This blog was produced by the Church of England and published on 14 October 2026, with minor edits by Cathy Rhodes, Sheffield, Diocesan Environment Officer.
