By Laudato Voices | conference of Parties (COP30) | Nov 05, 2025

As the world looks ahead to the Conference of Parties COP30 , scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil (November 6- 21, 2025), the message is loud and clear: the time for action is now. At Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI), we believe that the youth of Uganda are not just observers in this global dialogue.  We are active participants and stewards of the future. Through our network of Laudato Si’ Clubs, young people across the country are preparing meaningful, practical activities that are bringing the spirit of COP30 to life in their communities.

What is the COP?

The UNFCCC launched the Conference of the Parties (COP) as the body responsible for decision-making on the implementation of the commitments adopted by countries to tackle climate change. The COP is attended by all countries that have signed and ratified the Convention. Currently, 198 countries participate in the UNFCCC, making it one of the largest multilateral bodies in the United Nations (UN) system.

COP30 and the Call to Ecological Conversion

COP30 is expected to focus on accelerating the world’s response to the climate crisis, cutting carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and supporting countries most affected by climate change. For Uganda, these goals are not abstract. We see climate change every day in our communities: mudslides in bududa, flooding all over the city, longer droughts, unpredictable rainfall, floods destroying our food basket, and rising temperatures that threaten livelihoods and limits our access to water. 

At Laudato Youth Initiative, we draw inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which reminds us that caring for the environment is not optional, it is a moral responsibility. As young people of faith, our actions can transform hope into reality, aligning with COP30’s mission of justice, sustainability, and global solidarity.

In our recently concluded Raising Hope Conference at Castle Gandolfo Looking ahead to upcoming global summits, including COP30 and the UN’s 2026 Water Conference, the Pope urged leaders to heed the cries of “the Earth and the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants and believers throughout the world.” Our response to COP30 has this in mind. Our activities will focus on;

1. Educating and Inspiring Climate Awareness

The first step in creating change is awareness. Laudato Si’ Clubs are organizing climate education sessions in schools and parishes to help young people understand what COP30 is and how it connects to their lives.

Through storytelling, art, debates, and school assemblies, students are learning that climate change isn’t a distant issue, it’s something we can address together. Clubs are using the Laudato Si’ goals and Pope Leo’s plea as guiding principles: ecological education, community engagement, and care for the poor.

By raising awareness, we’re also shaping future climate leaders, young Ugandans who can speak confidently about the environment, faith, and justice.

2. Turning Knowledge into Local Action

At Laudato Youth Initiative, we believe that small, consistent actions can create big change. Ahead of COP30, Laudato Si’ Clubs in Uganda are launching eco-projects that directly contribute to the goals of the global climate agenda 

• Tree Planting for Climate Resilience – Clubs are planting indigenous and fruit trees in schools, parishes, and community lands. Each tree is a symbol of hope, restoring biodiversity and fighting carbon emissions. 
• Waste Management and Plastic-Free Campaigns while we remain committed to eliminating single use plastics youth are also eliminating plastics through regenerating projects from eco-bricks to recycling drives, students are promoting sustainable waste habits. The goal: to make Ugandan schools models of zero-plastic campuses. 
• Climate-Smart Agriculture, School gardens are becoming classrooms for sustainable farming. Students learn how composting, mulching, and organic manure can feed communities without harming the earth. 
• Water and Energy Conservation schools are installing rainwater-harvesting systems and advocating for solar energy in schools and parishes.
• Encouraging cash and food crop growing for a sustainable living and food security.

These local activities are rooted in our faith and grounded in the practical realities of our communities and the need to eradicate poverty and hunger. They prove that the global fight against climate change begins right where we are.

3. Raising a Faith-Based Voice for Climate Justice

Laudato Si’ Clubs are not just doing environmental work they are becoming voices for justice. Raising awareness through writing articles for online readers,  publishing the Laudato Voices Magazine, creative campaigns, nature walks and youth dialogues, we’re calling for stronger climate policies, ethical leadership, and fair resource management in Uganda.

We’re also linking up with the Vatican Laudato Si Action Platform, ensuring that voices from Africa, especially from young Catholics are heard on the international stage in the Church. This is what COP30 is truly about: listening to those most affected by the climate crisis and giving them the power to act. 

4. Deepening Spiritual Reflection and Ecological Prayer

Caring for creation is deeply spiritual. Ahead of COP30, many of our Laudato Si’ Clubs are integrating prayer and reflection into their eco-activities. During the Season of Creation (September 1–October 4), schools and parishes hold “Eco Sundays,” creation-themed Masses, and nature walks as Pilgrims of Green Hope. 

These spiritual practices remind us that the earth is not a resource to exploit, but a gift to cherish. When we pray for creation, we renew our relationship with God, with each other, and with the planet we share.

5. Building a Legacy of Action Beyond COP30

For the Laudato Youth Initiative, COP30 is not the destination, it’s a milestone on a longer journey. Each activity, tree, and campaign is part of a growing initiative across Uganda that blends faith, science, and youth empowerment.

Our long-term vision is clear:

• To make every Catholic school in Uganda a Laudato Si’ School.
  
• To create eco-leadership programs that train students in environmental management.
  
• To connect youth clubs nationwide in a Laudato Youth Network for Climate Action, ensuring that our local actions echo globally.

Why This Matters

Every seed planted, every clean-up campaign, every moment of prayer adds to something bigger for a world that is healing. When COP30 delegates gather in Brazil to negotiate climate solutions, we want the story of Uganda’s youth to be part of that global inspiration. We saw that happen at the recently concluded Laudato Si Africa Conference.

Through our Laudato Si’ Clubs, we’re showing that young people in Uganda are not waiting for others to act we are already living the change we want to see.

A Call to Action

As we prepare for COP30, the Laudato Youth Initiative invites schools, parishes, and communities to join us. Start a Laudato Si’ Club under the Laudato Youth Initiative, join our programs and let your story inspire others. Together, we can turn faith into action, action into impact, and impact into lasting hope for our common home because when young people care for creation, the earth breathes again.