World Council of Churches Urges Support for Responsible Finance and Climate Justice
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on churches, ecumenical partners, and faith-based groups around the world to back an open letter that supports an OECD complaint. This complaint, filed by Methodist churches in Colombia, Great Britain, Ireland, and partners, concerns HSBC’s financial ties to Glencore and the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia.
The Cerrejón coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia, has deeply affected local communities. Large spoil heaps have transformed the landscape, covering vegetation, polluting groundwater, and spreading fine toxic dust. These environmental damages impact the Wayúu communities, who have neither consented to nor benefited from the mining operations.
On June 5, 2026, the Methodist Church of Colombia, the Methodist Church of Great Britain, the Methodist Church in Ireland, Epworth Investment Management Ltd, and CEPALC (Ecumenical Centre for Communication in Latin America) submitted the complaint through the UK National Contact Point under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. The complaint raises issues about how financing supports activities that cause environmental harm, displacement of communities, water shortages, and health problems linked to the Cerrejón mine.
WCC General Secretary, Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, signed the open letter addressed to HSBC. He expressed solidarity with the communities affected by the Cerrejón mine and emphasized the need for the financial sector to be accountable for its environmental, human rights, and climate impacts. Pillay acknowledged the essential role of financial institutions in supporting economies and development but insisted that no one expects their funds to finance environmental damage, human rights violations, or harm to children.
Pillay stated, “Where financing remains connected to such activities, there is a clear need for scrutiny, and an imperative to reconcile this with urgent corrective action. The OECD complaint mechanism provides an important opportunity for this.”
The letter highlights how communities in La Guajira face displacement, water insecurity, and health issues linked to mining. It stresses that ongoing thermal coal extraction contributes to the global climate crisis, which threatens vulnerable populations, especially children and future generations.
The letter calls on HSBC to respond sincerely to the concerns, to stop funding new and existing thermal coal mining operations, and to engage with affected communities towards fair remediation for the harms caused.
The WCC invites churches and faith-based organizations to add their support to this campaign. It encourages Christians to examine the actions of their banks, demand transparency about how their money is used, and ensure that their assets do not contribute to harm against children, human rights, or the environment.
As a global fellowship with over 580 million members, the WCC has long upheld commitments to caring for creation, climate justice, and human dignity. By backing this initiative, the WCC reinforces the call for a financial system that protects life, respects dignity, and preserves creation for future generations.
Churches and organizations wishing to support the effort can sign the open letter available on the WCC website.
For more information and related content, the WCC provides resources about Churches’ Commitments to Children, climate-responsible banking, and faith investment. The WCC continues to promote responsible financial practices that align with ethical and ecological values worldwide.
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