BK at COP30 : Conscious Food, Creative Circularity and Faith Voices

Report 5: Tuesday 18th November to Wednesday 19th November

The COP30 conferences are always a great opportunity to nurture connections and partnerships that the BK COP team have made over the years.  The Press Conferences and workshops featured in this report show how voluntary organizations, including faith-based groups, bring a wide range of voices to the global discussion. They represent perspectives often marginalised in formal negotiations, such as those of Indigenous Peoples, youth, and local communities who are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

The events showcase diverse solutions, including a session on Conscious Food, which explored the energetic and spiritual connection between diet and global well-being.  A creative workshop further explored ‘creative circularity’ as both a cultural practice and a path to inner resilience.  Additionally, discussions in the Climate Wisdom Studio highlighted the value of spiritual practices and meditation in fostering the inner stability and resilience necessary to sustain positive action and face complex obstacles.

Ethics and Peace Accelerating Climate Action
Press Conference 18th November

Left to Right: Suresh Yadav, Dir. Climate Change Division, The Commonwealth Secretariat; Golo Pilz, Adviser Renewable Energy; Sonja Ohlsson, Moderator; Sister Jayanti, Add. Admin. Head, Brahma Kumaris.

COP30 BK 4th Report

Sonja Ohlsson opened the proceedings by saying that the climate crisis is not only a political one it is also a moral and human one.

Golo Pilz gave an overview on what the Brahma Kumaris are doing world-wide for ethics, peace and climate action.  He presented a positive set of strategies that the Brahma Kumaris suggest that if taken up, can deal with the unfolding climate crisis.

Suresh Yadav

Q: How do the commonwealth integrate ethics and equity in its climate strategy to make sure that the policies and climate actions are ethical and fair and can other organisations learn from you?

A: We have a commonwealth charter which was adopted by the commonwealth leaders in 2012, the foundation of which is ethics, sustainability, sustainable development, consensus, and listening to the voices of youth and women which are the very basic principles. We need the power to do what is right for the planet.  For this we need inner peace. For this reason, I practise meditation.

Sister Jayanti

Q: How can inner peace and ethical awareness empower global leaders and communities to make the courageous right decisions and can you name some principles to make it more practical for us?

A: Leaders and others have turned their backs on the promises made. I would suggest that the people suffering the most are the ones who had very little to do with creating climate change. So can we think about fairness and justice as being the ethical values that can support a transition to a new relationship with nature, having harmony within, with others and also with the planet.  We can look at transparency and accountability and find the courage and willpower needed to make this a reality.

The proceedings closed with a guided meditation.

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Conscious Food, Conscious Planet: Policies, Practices, and Ethics Driving Climate Action
Press Conference 18th November

This press conference highlighted how we can all make a difference through our individual food choices, where every meal counts.

Left to Right: Dr Larissa Carreiro, Brazil Campaign, Plant Based Treaty; Sr Jayanti, Addl. Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris; Enric Noguera, UN Affairs Coordinator, Plant based treaty; Moderator: Shantanu Mandal, Co_Chair ReSpECC (IUCN) and Brahma Kumaris

Sister Jayanti shared about the connection between how the food we eat impacts both our physical and mental health, and how our mind influences our food choices. In fact the whole process, from food production to how it is cooked, impacts our and the planet's well-being. She spoke about the growing Yogic Farming initiative in India, where meditation is integrated into growing crops. One University study found that the healthy bacteria in the soil multiplied and the crops had more flavour, as a result of following Yogic Farming principles. She emphasised the importance of education and a return to values and ethics.

Enric Noguera shared about the One Health concept: that the health of the planet, animals and humans all depend on each other. Today, if we look at the state of the planet it is clear we are doing something wrong. We are becoming more divided, unaware of who we are and disconnected. This lack of consciousness and awareness is also seen in policy making. He also spoke about the power of marketing and corporate influence on individuals in policy making.

Dr Larissa Carreiro, who is from Brazil, spoke about the link between our current food choices and systems on deforestation, which if altered, also offer one of the fastest solutions to reduce carbon emissions. ‘Conscious Food’ includes the ethics of food production. Every meal is a decision that impacts the land, the climate and communities. The Plant Based Treaty sees governments adopting policies that support regeneration, food security and cultural resilience. Climate action is about the interconnectedness of life and honouring all forms of life.

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Creative Circularity: Where Art Meets New Possibilities
Capacity Building Hub, Blue Zone   18th November

Around 20 participants joined the creative activities organised by the Reinventing Futures Institute, LB Cultura Circular, and the Brahma Kumaris. The session offered a participatory experience integrating art, music, meditation, and collective reflection, exploring creative circularity as both a cultural practice and an inner pathway to climate resilience.  Sitar player, Alex Pochat, and Indigenous artist, Val Munduruku, contributed with artistic and musical elements that formed the heart of the event.

Climate Wisdom Studio : Building the Future We Choose
19th November

This evening Sonja Ohlsson, International Coordinator Brahma Kumaris Environmental Initiative,  spoke with Vanessa Nakate, Project Dandelion and UNICEF Ambassador, Budi Tjahjono, Advocacy Director Franciscans International and Sister Jayanti, Add. Admin. Head of the Brahma Kumaris.

This episode explored the importance of taking positive action to create awareness and solutions, and the power of spiritual understanding and practices in carrying us through the difficult times.

From Left to Right: Vanessa Nakate, Sr Jayanti, Sonja Ohlsson

Vanessa Nakate shared how when she saw how people in her home country, Uganda, were being impacted by climate change she felt she wanted to do something about it. Taking courage she organised a number of Climate Strikes. She also spoke about the importance of well-being and calm in the climate fight. It is a tough experience, especially for young people, dealing with the frustration of inaction.

Sister Jayanti shared how meditation re-energises us, helps us face obstacles and not get burnt-out. She said that without her spiritual understanding she would feel very worried now and this motivates her to share. In the difficult times ahead, I know how the inner stability and resilience meditation builds within us, can carry us through.

From Left to Right: Budi Tjahjono, Sr Jayanti, Sonja Ohlsson

Budi Tjahjono shared how St Francis valued all creation, his care for the poor and his work with St Clare. He said that if there are no human rights there is no planet. We have to take care of our planet. He shared examples of how people’s human rights are affected by climate change. A daily practice of silence and asking oneself: How can I be useful to God and others today? enables us to stay on track and keep alive hope and optimism.

Sister Jayanti shared about the importance of making time for oneself to recharge our inner battery. Also, of keeping sight of why one is doing what one is doing, and seeing oneself as an instrument for the task. Particularly, understanding myself as an instrument for God’s task keeps me recharged and light.

World Council of Churches : Faith voices at COP30 call for strong climate action as a moral duty
Press Conference 19th November

Left to Right: Margareta Koltai, Church of Sweden; Budi Tjahjono, Franciscans International; Sister Jayanti, Addl Head of Brahma Kumaris; Rev. Henrik Grape, World Council of Churches; Lindsey Cook, Quakers’ United Nations Office

The collective message of this press conference was a moral plea for ambitious action as COP30 moved into its final week, focusing on issues of climate justice, the need to keep the 1.5 degrees target alive, and the urgency of finance for vulnerable nations.

 Watch here