Interfaith Rainforest Initiative – Page 5 – 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

IRI Lomani chapter mobiliazes religious leaders to counter deforestation

January 30, 2026

In Lomami Province, IRI DRC’s provincial chapter is mobilizing religious leaders and communities in response to the loss of nearly 8,700 hectares of natural forest

IRI Peru delivers high-profile ethical criteria aproach, editorial for elections

January 30, 2026

IRI Peru published an opinion column by Cardinal Pedro Barreto—one of the country’s most senior religious leaders—in La República outlining ethical criteria for the 2026 elections: honesty, sustainability,

IRI-RDC: Civil society and religious leaders call for the Establishment of the National Land Use Planning Council

January 28, 2026

On January 26, 2026, the IRI-RDC – Environmental Civil Society Consortium addressed a formal appeal to Her Excellency the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic

IRI Indonesia pushes to revive long-stalled indigenous peoples legislation

January 27, 2026

IRI Indonesia joined a strategy consolidation meeting in Jakarta with the Coalition for the Indigenous Peoples Bill (47 civil-society organizations) to accelerate passage of the

IRI Peru coalitions and high-profile convenings aim to keep illegal mining on the national agenda

January 15, 2026

IRI Peru strengthened collaboration with the Illegal Mining Observatory by joining its electoral strategy group and preparing for a March electoral dialogue on party proposals

IRI Peru chapters expand as national coordination sets 2026 priorities

December 30, 2025

IRI Peru grew and reactivated chapters in Pucallpa, Tingo María, Aucayacu and Huánuco and launched a new chapter in Chachapoyas, bringing together Catholic, evangelical, Bahá’í

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.