This year marks the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP30, hosted by the Government of Brazil, will take place in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. COP30 is making history as this is the first time that, within a COP, space will be given to address the climate challenge from an ethical perspective. To this end, the Government of Brazil launched the Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) initiative, calling on individuals and groups “to reflect on the values, behaviors, and responsibilities that must be transformed so that the commitments made at the UN Climate Conferences can become a reality.” Earth Charter International has aligned with this effort and has called on all affiliated individuals and organizations to undertake Self-Organize Dialogues as a contribution to the GES in the lead-up to COP30.
Local and online dialogues feed into a worldwide “ethical stocktake,” guided by five key questions on denial, consumption, accountability, cultural wisdom, and collective mobilization. The conversations highlight why harmful patterns persist—short-termism, systemic barriers, and disconnection from nature—while also discussing pathways for change, from Indigenous wisdom and rights of nature to post-growth economics and regenerative business.
In this context the Earth Charter collective in The Netherlands (“DeelGenootschap EC NL)” organized an online dialogue which took place on 16 September 2025.
The Earth Charter emerges as a unifying ethical compass: a framework for justice, solidarity, and ecological integrity. By weaving together diverse voices, traditions, and practices, the initiative seeks to inspire leaders, businesses, and communities to act with courage and fairness in addressing the climate crisis. The Earth Charter’s ethical values and principles reflects, supports and amplifies the values highlighted by the COP30 Presidency: – Unity and interdependence – Intergenerational solidarity – Responsibility, empathy, and global cooperation – Inclusion, resilience, and hope.
Process & Timeline
- Local and online dialogues worldwide feed into the Global Ethical Stocktake;
- Outcomes of the self-organized dialogues organized by Earth Charter partners and Affiliates will be bundled for submission by Earth Charter International and contributed to the leadership of COP30;
- At the same time, the Earth Charter community in Brazil is well-positioned to directly influence COP30 deliberations.
16 September 2025 dialogue
Sixteen representatives of different sectors of Dutch society participated in the online dialogue and reflected on the 5 questions in an open, interactive and inspiring atmosphere. Facilitator and moderator Lavinia Warnars introduced the dialogue method ‘from Ego to Eco’ with the aim to give room to all voices, including voices that are generally not heard, such as the voice of Earth and marginalized people.
The purpose of the dialogue was to reflect on the climate crises from an ethical perspective. To engage in an inclusive dialogue with a diverse group of people from / in The Netherlands. To deepen understanding of the causes of climate change and fundamental solutions and the role an ethical approach can play, as reflected in the values and principles brought together in the Earth Charter. To gather views and positive perspectives that will inform COP30 negotiations and inspire transformative action.
References
📄 Read the Earth Charter
📚 Planetary Well-Being Book
🌐 Earth Charter +25 draft principles business ethics
Five Guiding Questions and Deepened Insights
Below each question, the group’s dialogue is summarized and related to applicable Earth Charter principles and practical examples.
Below are the relevant Earth Charter Principles in picture.
- Why do we so often deny or ignore what science and traditional knowledge say about the climate crisis and share or tolerate misinformation, even knowing lives are at risk?
Key Insights
- Short-termism & Competing Interests
Immediate economic or political gains outweigh long-term planetary survival (Earth Charter Principle 7a: adopt patterns of production, consumption and reproduction that safeguard ecological integrity). - Psychological Avoidance
Fear, grief, and “bad news fatigue” lead to denial, “head in the sand” behaviour. - Slow Feedback Loops
The delayed impact of climate harm reduces urgency. - Disconnection from Nature
Western societies have lost the sense of interdependence with the “community of life” (Earth Charter Principle 1: Respect Earth and life in all its diversity). - Misinformation and Power
Fossil-fuel industries exploit uncertainty to delay action—classic Merchants of Doubt dynamics (Earth Charter Principle 13: Strengthen democratic institutions and ensure transparency).
Way forward with the Earth Charter:
- Principle 14a: Provide all, especially children and youth, with educational opportunities that empower them to contribute actively to sustainable development.
- Principle 9: Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.
- Why do we continue with production and consumption models that harm the most vulnerable and are not aligned with the 1.5ºC Mission?
Key Insights
- Growth Addiction
Well-being is equated with having more, not being more. - Systemic Barriers
Economic measurement systems count ‘productivity’ and ‘profit’, while ignoring care work, forest protection, and protecting planetary health (Earth Charter Principle 7d: internalize the full environmental and social costs of goods and services). - Corporate Resistance
Fossil fuel lobbies block meaningful transitions; ESG momentum has slowed amid geopolitical tensions. - Lack of Visible Alternatives
Despite inspiring models like Buen Vivir (South America), Ubuntu (Africa), and Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness, mainstream economies lack structural support.
Way forward with the Earth Charter:
- Principle 7: Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth’s regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.
- Principle 10: Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
- What can we do to ensure that rich countries, major producers, and consumers of fossil fuels accelerate their transitions and contribute financing for these measures in the most vulnerable countries?
Key Insights
- True Pricing & Full Cost Accounting
Internalize social and environmental costs into market prices. Good examples in The Netherlands are the Impact Institute and True Price Foundation. - Carbon Take-Back Obligations
Hold fossil producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products. - Rights of Nature
Grant legal personhood to air, water, and ecosystems to enable balance and restoration. Good examples in The Netherlands: Foundation for the Rights of Nature and The Wood that Owns Itself. - Equitable Financing
Rich countries must fulfil and go beyond existing climate finance pledges. - Strengthen Governance
Enforce transparency and democratic decision-making to hold powerful actors accountable. Good bottom up examples in The Netherlands: Citizen Councils and collective “Ministry of the Future”.
Way forward with the Earth Charter:
- Principle 1a: Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.
- Principle 7d: Internalize the full environmental and social costs of goods and services in the selling price, and enable consumers to identify products that meet the highest social and environmental standards.
- Principle 13b: Support local, regional and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation of all interested individuals and organizations in decision making.
- What traditions, histories, or practices (cultural, spiritual) from your community teach us to live in greater harmony with nature?
Key Insights
- Indigenous Wisdom & FPIC
Free, Prior and Informed Consent ensures respectful engagement with indigenous peoples Good example in The Netherlands: Indigenous Knowledge Centre International with its project to create the Wood for Healing. - Reciprocity & Mutual Aid
Twente’s Noaberschap emphasizes shared responsibility and solidarity. - Spiritual Traditions
The golden rule, reflected for example in Buddhism, teaches planetary stewardship and humility. - Reconnection Practices
Deep Time Walks, forest immersion, and art-based rituals help all, including youth, rebuild ecological bonds. Good examples in The Netherlands: Friends of the Forest, Lab for Future Generations Green Traineeships, Deep Time Walk experiences and outdoor childcare and schools.
Way forward with the Earth Charter:
- Principle 12b. Affirm the right of indigenous peoples to their spirituality, knowledge, lands and resources and to their related practice of sustainable livelihoods
- Principle 14d: Recognize the importance of moral and spiritual education for sustainable living.
- How can we mobilize a diverse collective of people, leaders, corporations, companies, and nations to support just and ethical changes in combating the climate crisis? What ideas and values could inspire us in this mission?
Key Insights
- Coalitions of the Willing
Movements like Donut Economics, Degrowth, Zoop, and Economy Transformers embody post-growth ethics. - New Narratives of Success
Measure progress by being more instead of having more. - Business Pledges
Businesses can commit to healing, uplifting, and connecting—ethics as foundation, not compliance. - Ecoliteracy & Youth Engagement
Empower children and youth through experiential education and art. - Spiritual Community Building
Use culture and faith traditions to deepen collective responsibility.
Way forward with the Earth Charter
- Principle 13: Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance.
- Principle 16: Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.
Global Justice & Equity
- Developing nations like Bangladesh face disproportionate climate risks despite minimal emissions.
- Climate migration, biodiversity loss, and resource inequality highlight the ethical imperative for fair burden-sharing.
Partnerships
- Foster “unexpected partnerships” across business, art, culture, and faith communities.
Key Takeaways
- Behavioural Inertia is Multifaceted: psychological avoidance, systemic economic incentives, and spiritual disconnection reinforce harmful habits.
- The Earth Charter Offers a Moral Compass: its 4 pillars, 16 main principles and 54 supporting principles provide both a moral compass as practical guidance for aligning governance, economics, and culture with ecological integrity.
- Transformative Change is Possible: Indigenous wisdom, post-growth economics, and regenerative business models show that a just and sustainable future can be co-created.
With much gratitude for the participants and facilitators for their contributions.
Attendees:
Cor Noltee (Friends of the Forest), Dick de Groot (Association Worldconnectors), Godelieve van Heteren (Senior international consultant health & Social systems transformations: health, governance/policy, PBF), Guido Beauchez (Partner, COO Nexus Climate BV), HenkJan Laats (Expert Holistic Science at UN Harmony with Nature, director Cross Cultural Bridges), Jan van de Venis (Lab for Future Generations, Stand Up for Your Rights, Foundation Rights of Nature), Marcello Palazzi (Economist, Entrepreneur. Co-Founder United Leaders Europe, For Good Leaders, B Lab Europe, NOW Partners, Tällberg Forum, Progressio Foundation), Mirjam Hijstek (Coach for creative professionals, curator, art consultant), Paul Lubbers (ECI Board member, Breesaap Green Link), Sherlien Sanches (Founder Indigenous Knowledge Centre International), Tycho Huussen (Systems thinker, physicist, oceanographer, entrepreneur, teacher), Wim Oolbekkink (SBI Estate Zonheuvel, Coordinator SDG House Zonheuvel), Xinmeng Eric Lei (Sales Controller | PhD Candidate).
Facilitation Team Earth Charter collective The Netherlands (“DeelGenootschap EC NL”):
- Alide Roerink (Anthropologist, ECI Council member, Food Forest Initiative)
- Lavinia Warnars (Founder and Consultant Biodiversity Finance and Projects, iEarth.nl – ECI Affiliate. Specialized in the dialogue method ‘From Ego to Eco’)
- Veronique Swinkels (Founder InnerPact, Chair Lab for Future Generations – both ECI Affiliates)
For any further updates on this and other relevant issues concerning the Earth Charter in The Netherlands: https://www.earthcharterdeelgenootschap.nl/
And for any further updates on this and other relevant issues concerning the Earth Charter on the Global Level: https://earthcharter.org/