More than 60 church institutions worldwide—including Germany's Protestant Church—are divesting from coal, oil and gas. The announcement was made at the UN climate summit in Belém by the World Council of Churches, the Laudato Si' Movement and Christians for Future. The move is intended as a signal to the roughly 200 countries meeting in Belém to step up climate action. In Germany, 42 members of the Working Group of Church Investors are reported to be participating, including regional Protestant churches and several Catholic organisations such as Caritas.
Over 60 Church Institutions Worldwide Divest from Fossil Fuels — Including Germany's Protestant Church
More than 60 church institutions worldwide—including Germany's Protestant Church—are divesting from coal, oil and gas. The announcement was made at the UN climate summit in Belém by the World Council of Churches, the Laudato Si' Movement and Christians for Future. The move is intended as a signal to the roughly 200 countries meeting in Belém to step up climate action. In Germany, 42 members of the Working Group of Church Investors are reported to be participating, including regional Protestant churches and several Catholic organisations such as Caritas.
09:33 PM, 11/18/2025Environment
Churches Withdraw Investments from Coal, Oil and Gas
More than 60 church institutions around the world have announced they are withdrawing funds from investments in fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. The decision — explicitly including Germany's Protestant Church — was disclosed at the UN climate summit in Belém by the World Council of Churches, the Laudato Si' Movement and Christians for Future (the German branch of Fridays for Future).
Organisers said the divestment is intended as a clear signal to the roughly 200 countries meeting in Belém to accelerate action on the climate crisis and shift capital toward sustainable, equitable solutions.
"It is high time to withdraw investments from fossil fuels and invest in a fair, sustainable future," the German organisation said in its statement.
In July, for the first time, all Catholic bishops across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean issued a joint declaration on the climate emergency. Their statement called for a phase-out of fossil fuels, a halt to new oil, gas and coal infrastructure projects, and appropriate taxation of those who have profited from fossil fuel extraction.
Kathrin Fingerle of Christians for Future added: "The churches continue to credibly pursue the path of climate justice — politicians should do the same."
Who is participating?
According to the organising groups, 42 members of Germany's Working Group of Church Investors are taking part in the divestment effort. Participating bodies include:
- The Protestant Church in Germany
- Almost all regional Protestant churches
- Ecclesiastical financial institutions and diaconal organisations
- Several Catholic organisations, including Caritas
The move reflects a broader trend among faith-based organisations to align investments with ethical and environmental priorities, leveraging finance as a tool to encourage faster action on climate change.