The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is an international, multi-faith alliance that works to bring moral urgency and faith-based leadership to global efforts to end tropical deforestation.

We provide a platform for religious leaders to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society organizations and businesses on actions that protect rainforests and safeguard the indigenous peoples that serve as their guardians.

The initiative was launched in June of 2017 at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway in a first-of-its-kind summit of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist religious leaders, climate scientists, rainforest experts and indigenous peoples’ representatives from Brazil, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Meso-America and Peru.

WHAT WE DO

Build consensus

Facilitate dialogue across religions about the shared moral, ethical and spiritual responsibility to protect rainforests.

Make the case

Create opportunities for religious leaders, scientists and indigenous peoples to speak in concert about the case for ending tropical deforestation.

Facilitate learning

Equip religious and spiritual leaders with the science, training and tools they need to become effective advocates for protecting rainforests.

Mobilize commitment

Mobilize religious and spiritual leaders to make ending tropical deforestation an ethical priority and create space for them to advocate for policies that protect rainforests and those that serve as their guardians.

Raise awareness

Increase the profile and visibility of the deforestation crisis, and the fundamental role that rainforests play in addressing climate change, achieving sustainable development and surviving as a planet.

Influence policy

Serve as a moral force for change to influence governments and companies to adopt, fulfill and expand upon commitments to protect rainforests.

Build coalitions

Facilitate new partnerships among religious and faith leaders, indigenous peoples, and other sectors – government, business, and civil society – to anchor global commitment to protecting rainforest in on-the-ground action in rainforest countries.

Inspire action

Create a worldwide movement for rainforest protection that is grounded in the values, ethics and moral guidance of faith communities.

The Partnership

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative welcomes engagement by all organizations, institutions and individuals of good faith and conscience that are committed to the protection, restoration and sustainable management of rainforests.

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Photos used on the site with thanks to the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Rhett Butler / mongabay.com and Daniel Aguilar for Mongabay.