Christians worldwide are being encouraged to take legal action against polluters and their financiers in a new climate justice handbook from the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The handbook outlines practical ways faith organisations can help protect future generations from the climate crisis, drawing on Christian teachings of stewardship and justice. It advocates for strategic litigation as a means to “create hope and hold responsible parties accountable.”

The WCC, representing a wide range of global denominations, believes that advocacy alone is insufficient given the ongoing rise in CO2 emissions, largely driven by fossil fuel industries. “There is no contradiction between using legal frameworks and embodying Christian values,” the handbook states, emphasising the faith’s call to “speak truth to power.”

Frederique Seidel, WCC senior programme lead for Children and Climate, said: “Holding financial institutions accountable proves to be one of the most powerful levers to accelerate climate solutions. Strategies offered in this resource are an answer to the pleas of the scientific community and young people to tackle root causes of harm to creation and protect our future generations’ right to life.”

Climate litigation has increased in recent years, with lawsuits now targeting organisations that fund fossil fuels, including banks and pension funds. The handbook suggests that such legal actions could make renewable energy more affordable, driving systemic change.

Faith-based legal actions are already in progress, including a lawsuit by residents of an Indonesian island against Swiss cement producer Holcim, supported by Swiss Church Aid.

The handbook also recommends non-litigious actions, such as questioning financial organisations about fossil fuel investments and continuing to divest from them.