Bangkok, Thailand — Energy Shift Southeast Asia welcomed the convening of the Asian Faith Leaders’ Roundtable on Biodiversity, Climate, and Energy, saying that faith communities must become central actors in confronting the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and fossil fuel expansion across Asia.
The Asian Faith Leaders’ Roundtable on Biodiversity, Climate, and Energy is a two-day discussion aimed at strengthening collaboration among faith communities, indigenous spiritual traditions, and traditional wisdom holders to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and the energy transition. Present were faith leaders from different denominations, including Muslims, Protestants, Buddhists, Sikhs, Baha’i, Kirat (an indigenous faith group in South Asia), as well from the Roman Catholics and evangelicals.
“As governments continue to approve more coal, oil, gas, and LNG projects, the region is moving deeper into ecological collapse. There can be no climate justice without biodiversity protection, and there can be no genuine energy transition if it destroys the very ecosystems that sustain life. Faith communities have always stood on the side of life, justice, and human dignity. Today, together we are called to stand just as firmly for the protection of communities and the environment.” Anj Dacanay, lead campaigner for Energy Shift Southeast Asia said.
Across Asia, forests are vanishing, coral reefs are dying, fisheries are declining, and communities are enduring increasingly destructive typhoons, floods, droughts, extreme heat, and rising seas. At the same time, fossil fuel expansion continues to threaten globally significant biodiversity hotspots while displacing indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk, farmers, and vulnerable communities.
“From an Islamic perspective, human beings are entrusted by God as khalifah—stewards of His creation. This trust calls us to uphold justice, compassion, balance and moderation, and to avoid causing harm on Earth. The Qur’an reminds us that ‘God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves’ (13:11). This teaches us that meaningful change requires both faith and effort: we seek God’s guidance and help, but we must also take responsibility and act. Regardless of our beliefs, Faith should inspire us not merely to hope for a better world, but to become agents of positive change within it,” said Bro. Shah Kirit, Global UNITY Network.
The groups said Asia’s ecological crisis is unfolding most visibly in globally significant marine ecosystems such as the Coral Triangle and Mekong River, threatened areas that sustain millions of people yet remain under growing threat from fossil fuel exploration and development. These crises of climate change, biodiversity collapse, and fossil fuel dependence are inseparable crises requiring a unified response grounded in both science and moral leadership.
“Faith leaders possess unparalleled moral authority capable of inspiring millions to reject destructive development models and champion a future powered by renewable energy, ecological integrity, and social justice. The defining question of our generation is not whether we possess the technology to solve these crises—we do. The question is whether we have the moral courage to act before it is too late,” said Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman of the Office of Integral Human Development – Climate Change Desk, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference.
Representatives from Asian faith groups, including Franciscan International, RENATE (Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation), Jesuits, Laudato Si Movement, Greenfaith Indonesia, Christian Conference of Asia, among others, were present in the roundtable discussion.
“From an Islamic perspective, human beings are entrusted by God as khalifah—stewards of His creation. This trust calls us to uphold justice, compassion, balance and moderation, and to avoid causing harm on Earth. The Qur’an reminds us that ‘God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves’ (13:11). This teaches us that meaningful change requires both faith and effort: we seek God’s guidance and help, but we must also take responsibility and act. Regardless of our beliefs, Faith should inspire us not merely to hope for a better world, but to become agents of positive change within it.” said Shah Kirit of Global UNITY Network.
“Our common home cannot wait. The time for moral leadership is now. The time for protecting biodiversity is now. The time for a just transition away from fossil fuels is now,” Bp. Allwyn D’Silva added.