Workshop brings together faith and belief communities driving climate action

To share ideas and learn from each other, more than 50 Richmond upon Thames residents from diverse groups came together to explore how faith and beliefs intersect with environmental concerns, and to discuss climate policy and community-led action.

The Richmond Faith and Belief Climate Dialogue, held at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, followed Inter Faith Week 2025. We hosted it in partnership with the London School of Economics (LSE) Religion and Global Society Research Unit and the Richmond Faith and Belief Forum.

The discussions focused on the challenges and motivations for climate action, mobilising faith and belief-based climate action, and strengthening partnerships. The workshop prompted new ideas for working together on local environmental issues in ways that resonate with people of different faiths and beliefs.

The dialogue was part of an LSE-run series of workshops across multiple boroughs that bring together council representatives, residents, worshippers, volunteers, charity leaders and academics. The workshops help explore the role faith communities can play in building local and global strategies for climate adaptation and resilience. 

Reverend Professor James Walters, Director of the LSE Faith Centre and Religion & Global Society, said:

“Interfaith collaboration is vital to creating sustainable and peaceful communities. We’re delighted to work with Richmond upon Thames Council to support the public sector in engaging with faith communities on this shared moral and ecological challenge.” 

Almost 55% of Richmond residents identify with a religion or belief, and our faith communities are already active in climate and sustainability-related actions in our borough, from climate chats to eco fairs, plantings and nature projects, to redistribution of food and warm clothing.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Deputy Leader of Richmond Council and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, added: 

“This important event confirmed that people of different faiths and beliefs share a collective feeling of responsibility to our planet and people. This aligns with the Council’s approach that climate policy must be fair and consider the diverse backgrounds in our community. We will keep working with our communities to take action on climate and nature issues.”

We also host an ongoing Richmond Faith and Belief Forum, which is a platform for local people from different faith and belief groups to meet up and discuss issues of mutual interest. The aim of these discussions is to make recommendations to local agencies, based on equality and inclusion.

Find out more

To enquire about joining the Richmond Faith and Belief Forum please contact partnerships@richmond.gov.uk.

Find out more information about the LSE Faith Centre's council engagement.

We host regular Richmond Sustainability Forums for anyone interested in topics related to sustainability and the environment.

Read about our last event, and sign up to our climate newsletter to get the latest updates about climate action and sustainability in Richmond upon Thames.