Interfaith Rainforest Initiative – The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative brings global religions and faith-based groups together to contribute to the protection, restoration and sustainable management of rainforests in the most threatened areas of the world, including Brazil, Colombia, DRC, Indonesia and Peru.

Uniting people of all faiths to end tropical deforestation

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative brings the commitment, influence and moral authority of religions to efforts to protect the world’s rainforests and the indigenous peoples that serve as their guardians.

VIDEOS ON IRI

NEWS

Religious leaders call for conscious voting in defense of the Amazon

May 30, 2026

As part of the “Grade Your Candidate” campaign, three prominent faith leaders issued a joint public call urging citizens to vote for candidates committed to

2026 work plan with Environment Ministry strengthens national coordination

May 28, 2026

IRI Peru consolidated and approved its 2026 work plan with Peru’s Ministry of Environment following a coordination meeting with ministry representatives. The plan includes activities

Evangelical leader Davi Lago to help mobilize strategic church networks

May 19, 2026

IRI Brazil met with Baptist pastor and writer Davi Lago, a public voice on democracy, religion, ethics and public life, to advance plans for a

23rd local chapter launches in Puno

May 15, 2026

IRI Peru launched IRI Puno, its 23rd local chapter, at the House of Culture of the Provincial Municipality of Puno. The launch brought together 50

New advisory council members strengthen science, monitoring and policy expertise

May 14, 2026

IRI DRC held its first Advisory Council meeting of 2026 in Kinshasa and formally welcomed two new members: the National Network of Independent Natural Resource

30th scientific immersion equips evangelical leaders for climate action

May 12, 2026

IRI Brazil held its 30th scientific immersion at INPE and CEMADEN, bringing together 39 carefully selected evangelical leaders from São Paulo, the Federal District, Espírito

Rainforests sustain all life on the planet

They are irreplaceable. Not only do they exhibit creation in its most exquisite beauty, they provide millions of people with food, shelter, livelihoods, medicine and clean water. They are also the best climate solution we have. If protected and restored, rainforests can provide an indispensable contribution to sustainable development. Instead, they are at grave risk.

Global deforestation is accelerating

Extractive industries and land conversion for agricultural products like beef, soy, palm oil, and pulp and paper are driving tropical deforestation. In the last decade alone, an area of forest the size of the United Kingdom, France and Germany combined has been lost forever. This destruction is unnecessary and is undermining efforts by the international community to address climate change, sustainable development and human rights.

Momentum to protect rainforests is growing, but more is needed

A coalition of indigenous peoples, government, business, science, NGO and civil society partners are working to halt deforestation. However, to achieve the speed and scale of change required, we need to bring the moral, ethical and spiritual dimension of humanity to bear more strongly on these efforts.

ABOUT US

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is an international, multi-faith alliance that aims to bring moral urgency and faith-based leadership to global efforts to end tropical deforestation. It is a platform for religious leaders to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society and business on actions that protect rainforests and safeguard those that serve as their guardians.

We focus on three main goals:

Raise awareness

Raise awareness of the tropical deforestation crisis by equipping religious leaders with the science, information and tools needed to serve as effective advocates for rainforest protection.

Mobilize action

Mobilize faith-based action by connecting religious leaders with allies from across sectors to multiply their collective impact.

Influence policy

Advocate for policies that protect forests by encouraging governments and companies to adopt, fulfill and expand upon their commitments to protect rainforests and the rights of indigenous peoples.

WHERE WE WORK

We work globally and in major rainforest countries to support religious leaders and spiritual communities that are mobilizing to protect rainforests.

We currently work in Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia and Peru, which together contain 70% of the world’s remaining tropical forests.