Identified as one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss, the climate crisis is tightly bound to the biodiversity crisis, yet safeguarding biodiversity remains one of the most effective defenses against climate change.
Our work restores natural carbon sinks—old growth forests, wetlands, peatlands, and marine ecosystems—contributing to climate change mitigation in the medium term. As a global network focused on habitat and ecosystem conservation, we emphasise that climate and biodiversity crises are inseparable and require coordinated action. Protecting and restoring these natural systems not only reduces emissions but also enhances their resilience, as well as that of the human communities that depend on them, helping them withstand extreme weather events like storms and floods, and long-term impacts such as severe droughts.
Our focus areas
Research, conservation and and resilience initiatives to Climate Change
- Our projects in South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Peru restore and preserve various types of forests in their respective ecological settings, enhancing their abilities to absorb carbon in the atmosphere, while strengthening their resilience.
- Our habitat conservation projects in Canada, Kenya and France restore and protect crucial wetlands and peatlands, both important parts of carbon sinks as well as climate resilience for the respective communities.
- Our marine project in Kenya monitors coral reefs for bleaching impacts while seeking proper approaches to enhance resilience.Â
Climate Stewards and carbon emissions reduction
Climate Stewards is part of the A Rocha family of organizations, caring for God’s creation around the world.
They have been offering high quality carbon offsets since 2007 and now work with many hundreds of individuals, charities and churches to provide advice and support in their carbon reduction journey.
- 360°Carbon: An easy-to-use carbon footprint calculator for churches, synagogues or charity (UK, Aotearoa NZ, Netherlands, Portugal)
- Footprintr.me: An easy to use carbon footprint calculator for individuals and families
Advocacy and climate education
- A Rocha has a long standing relationship with the UNFCCC bearing witness as christians by attending the COP to pray and advocate in favour of climate and sustainability. We are also involved in the CCOP (Christian Climate Observers Programme), an immersive experience-based training program for younger climate advocates, who are also practising Christians, to attend the annual UN COP with a Christian faith-based engagement and training plan.Â
- As an active member of the IUCN since 2002, we regularly attend the IUCN World Conservation Congress where we bring a distinct christian perspective as we collaborate with partners to support the protection of natural habitats and listed species.
- A Rocha International has been part of the Renew Our World Global Campaign, initiated by Tearfund, for a number of years at many international climate advocacy and governance settings, such as major matches for climate actions and the climate COPs.