Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

The United Nations calls its 17 Sustainable Development Goals "the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." With a target of achieving them by 2030, the goals are all interconnected and address the global challenges we face.

Goal 13 is "Climate Action." As the UN puts it: "Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere."

This series includes stories of sisters fighting to protect our world against climate change.

Click here to return to the full Sustainable Development Goals Collection.

Manicured lawns and paved walkways accentuate buildings at the St. Joseph Spiritual Center in Karen, a suburb southwest of the Nairobi central business district. The Little Daughters of St. Joseph manage the center. (Wycliff Oundo)

Little Daughters of St. Joseph operate sustainable conference center in Kenya

by Wycliff Oundo

Apr 28, 2022

In 2008, religious sisters ventured into Kenya's hospitality industry, with a spiritual center that doubled as a conference tourism and lodging facility. They established and continue to run a successful center.

Women of the Eco Women Group have embarked on a tree-planting campaign to promote reforestation programs to reduce the effect of climate change in Kalumba Forest, 37 miles north of Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. (Doreen Ajiambo)

Brick by brick, tree by tree, Carmelite Missionary Sisters plant skills to limit Malawi’s deforestation

by Doreen Ajiambo

Dec 6, 2021

In Malawi, dependence on firewood and charcoal as sources of income and for energy needs has led people in the world's fifth poorest country to chop down vast portions of the forest. To reduce deforestation, Carmelite Missionary Sisters are teaching women skills that will not further damage the forests.

Panelists assessing the outcome of the recent COP26 summit included Lindlyn Moma, Sr. Marvie Misolas and Sr. Kate Midgley. (Screenshot/Chris Herlinger)

After COP26, sisters pledge continued activism as 'an act of care'

by Chris Herlinger

Nov 19, 2021

Sisters agree the recent COP26 summit did not go as far as they would have liked, but they plan to keep working toward climate action. "The church has a voice. And it should use that voice," a speaker said during a webinar on the summit. "It's an act of care."

Earth-friendly investing (Dreamstime/Andrew Angelov)

Workshops look at how sisters' investments can tackle climate change

by Dan Stockman

Nov 18, 2021

If investments are part of a congregation's charism, then those investments should not harm the Earth, and should actively improve it, attendees heard at the Resource Center for Religious Institutes conference.

Feature Series ›

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

Little Daughters of St. Joseph operate sustainable conference center in Kenya

Brick by brick, tree by tree, Carmelite Missionary Sisters plant skills to limit Malawi’s deforestation

After COP26, sisters pledge continued activism as 'an act of care'

Workshops look at how sisters' investments can tackle climate change

Save the planet: Sister-related updates from COP26, the UN climate change conference

A wake-up call to embrace solar energy

Q & A with Sr. Mary Elizabeth Clark, writing mealtime prayers for 'ecological conversion'

With spiritual motivation, sisters actively care for the Earth

Conservation easement makes land 'Our Common Home'

LCWR commits to combat racism, serve immigrants and address climate change

UISG leaders call for broader environmental action, clear stance on church abuse at triennial meeting

In global climate, see the forest and trees

Climate change invites taking time

Dominican Sisters of Hope easement protects 'oasis' of land in New York

Nearly 600 institutions back Catholic Climate Declaration

Q & A with Sr. Veronica Brand, advocating for Earth at the United Nations

Science and faith a natural fit for climate change marchers