Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, Coordinator of the Spanish-language Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith reflects on her time at the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil:

“I am back from COP30 and heard the call clear, “We need to scale up climate action”, and this includes education. 

While the US government was absent at COP30, faith leaders as part of civil society, together with environmental organizations, Business and Industry NGOs, Youth NGOs, Women and Gender, Trade Unions NGOs, Research and Independent NGOs, Local Governments, Municipal Authorities, Farmers and Indigenous Peoples; together we all said, “Presente!”. 

Much is still to be reflected and comprehended on the final COP30 accomplishments and mishaps, but 2026 is already shaping up with hope, when 80+ countries agreed to work together, outside of the UN process, to create a road map, a transitioning away from fossil fuels. The aim is to promote international cooperation for a just and equitable transition towards the elimination of fossil fuel extraction.

To that end, the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands will co-host the First (of its kind) International Conference on Just Transition in Santa Marta, Colombia, on April 28 and 29, 2026. The conference will bring together governments, experts, indigenous peoples, civil society, industry leaders, and academics. Its goal is for Pacific countries to convene a follow-up summit to develop a roadmap aligned with the 1.5°C target.  

The US may not be at the forefront of a phase out from fossil fuels, but we at the Center for Climate Justice and Faith, can continue to facilitate its momentum via our work, solidarity, and preparing the leaders that will carry it into the future.