Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites all interested Episcopalians over 18 to apply to be a delegate—in person or virtually—to the 2024 United Nations climate change conference, scheduled for Nov. 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Applications—found online in English and Spanish—are due by 5 p.m. ET May 6.
Since 2015, Episcopal delegates have attended the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (known as UNFCCC COP), which this year marks its 29th session. The UNFCCC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1992 to help stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 200 parties have joined the convention. Learn more.
Episcopal delegates will be expected to attend two to five hours of events per day and to follow a particular issue within the climate negotiations. They will have the opportunity to speak at Episcopal Church COP events, as well as to write blog posts about their experience.
“Engaging with the United Nations is an opportunity for Episcopalians to voice our moral opposition to the destruction of the environment, and our support for the communities most badly hurt by the climate crisis,” said the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, head of The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop’s Delegation to COP29. “While the time we are in is urgent, it is also the time of greatest possibility for climate action; the window for consequential climate action is still more than half-open, through the end of this decade.”
During its October 2023 meeting, the church’s Executive Council passed a resolution in support of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative forged by Pacific nations and endorsed by the European Parliament and World Health Organization, among thousands of other individuals, cities, and groups.
Youth and young adults (ages 18-40), members of Black and Indigenous communities, people of color, LGBTQ+ Episcopalians, Episcopalians with disabilities, and Episcopalians on the frontline of climate change are especially encouraged to apply for the delegation. The presiding bishop is expected to announce his nominations by the start of June.
In addition to Andrus, the delegation will be guided and supported by The Episcopal Church offices of Global Partnerships, Government Relations, and Creation Care.
Delegates will meet monthly ahead of COP29 via videoconferencing—and daily throughout the November event.
Email creation@episcopalchurch.org with questions.
