Partnerships between conservation and faith groups have immense potential to tangibly improve outcomes for nature and people. They can provide greater scientific capacity for faith-based conservation efforts, increase the constituency of conservation groups, and expand the scope of conservation and human well-being outcomes. However, conservation organizations and religious groups rarely engage each other, and even when they do, partnerships may wane over time. A more systematic approach is needed to directly engage both communities to find common ground and goals, and to secure enduring, fruitful partnerships.
OUR APPROACH: This group convened key stakeholders from conservation and faith communities to improve coordination among conservation practitioners, faith leaders, and boundary organizations, provide greater scientific capacity to faith-based conservation efforts, and clarify current trends and information/capacity needs in the development of faith/conservation partnerships.
Team Status:
Convening of Global Faith and Environmental Leaders
This group held one meeting that convened faith and environmental leaders to explore opportunities for a lasting partnership to respond to pressing global challenges. The meeting was held in November of 2015 in the medieval Palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace, across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament. The meeting was opened officially by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. It brought together faith and conservation leaders from around the world, including China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India, Maldives, Kenya, Italy, USA, and UK.
