African religious leaders and climate change financing

Abstract

African religious leaders have played a major role in influencing the lives of many people. Although there are assertions that religion has created lazy believers who constantly believe in miracles, especially in the Pentecostal era, religion has also been critical in moulding culture and influencing lifestyles. The spirit of capitalism and the moral energy of religion, in conjunction with social, political, and economic institutions, drives economic growth to deliver wealth and prosperity. Given Africa’s marginal position in the climate space, religious leaders can play an assertive role in representing the continent in the global arena and subsequently mobilizing climate change financing to address the impacts of climate change that are rampant and affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities due to their low adaptive capacity. This chapter reflects on the advocacy and resource mobilization strategies that African religious leaders can employ to mobilize climate change financing and help communities to cope with different climate change challenges, including extreme weather events such as drought, floods, cyclones, and hailstorms. This chapter reflects on advocacy, coalition and trust-building, and mapping of climate change funds and instruments, including philanthropic and/or charity financing. It outlines some of the key strategies that African religious leaders can engage to mobilize resources to fund continental and national climate change priorities. The chapter argues that African religious leaders are a key asset that should be leveraged on in addressing climate change challenges, including their capacity to mobilize human and financial capital for enhanced climate action.