Campaign
Right now, small-scale farmers responsible for nearly half the world’s food production are facing an urgent threat to their livelihoods. They're being hit by climate extremes and, because most of these farming families already live below the poverty line, they lack the resources to bounce back. They've done the least to cause the crisis, yet they bear its heaviest burden.
Nearly 80 per cent of the world’s poor live in regions that are exposed to extreme heat, flooding, and other climate hazards proven to fuel food insecurity.
True justice means ensuring these vulnerable communities aren't left to face these challenges alone. It means giving them the fair financial backing they need to withstand climate shocks, safeguard food security and face the future with resilience and agency.
This November, COP31 presents a defining moment for Australia to champion justice and to help enable life-saving outcomes for the nations hardest hit by, but least responsible for, the climate crisis.
As Tearfund, we hold high hopes for what is possible when we act out of love for our global neighbours. In the lead up to COP31, we’re asking you to give hope a voice by calling on Australia to deliver our fair share of climate finance.
Hear how rural farming communities in Zambia are facing an increasingly harsh landscape – and how hope is taking root through Tearfund’s local partner ROCS, whose work also receives funding from Australian Aid. It’s communities like these, for whom the right climate finance can give deeply planted hope for resilient futures.
When I was young, we knew when the rains would fall and for how long. It was very easy for the communities, for my parents, to prepare the fields. It was predictable… But over the years, things are changing. Sometimes the change is so slow and sometimes quite abrupt and very disruptive. Yet...communities are slowly developing resilience and adapting to those hardships. They are trying to survive and do something that will make their families live and not give up despite the harsh conditions of the weather that they're experiencing.
– Marlon Phiri, Executive Director, ROCS Zambia
After my husband died, landowners sold this farm to me and my seven children, because they thought this land wasn't fertile. In the early years of coming here we thought of moving out because crop yields were too low to sustain our family. But with training in different farming approaches, climate smart agriculture and small livestock production, now I do not have plans of moving out of this area. I'm a happy farmer who has learnt a lot, such that my family will never go hungry anymore because of the improved yields.
– Aveles Mwanza, community member
Nyambo is our second settlement after migrating 100 km to escape soil depletion caused by overused land, grazing, and population growth. Before ROCS arrived, we took nature for granted, routinely clearing trees and practicing shifting cultivation. But after ROCS helped us form an environmental committee trained in Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, our mindset completely changed. Today, we protect our land instead of cutting trees carelessly—pruning branches for cooking stoves instead of felling whole trees. Now, the environment can sustain our livelihoods, and here we will stay.
– Vincent Phiri, Nyambo Environmental Committee
Write a personal message or share a prayer below. Together, we’ll bring a collective voice of hope to Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
COP31 is the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Türkiye this November. These annual conferences gather representatives from nearly every country in the world, and are the primary forum for negotiating global climate action, including the finance that is essential for climate adaptation and mitigation. Wealthy nations have already committed to mobilising $300 billion per year by 2035 to support lower-income countries build their climate resilience. COP31 is a critical moment to turn those promises into life-saving action for the countries hit hardest by climate extremes.
The leadership of COP31 is shared between Turkiye and Australia. While Türkiye will host the summit, Australia holds the vital role of President of Negotiations. This gives Australian leaders and diplomats unique authority to set the agenda, guide talks, and shape the final outcomes. It provides a defining moment for Australia to champion fairness and ensure the needs of frontline communities – especially those in our Pacific region – are brought to the center of global decision-making.
In the context of COP, climate finance refers to the money that will fund climate adaptation activities as well as those that seek to prevent or limit further climate disruption. This investment is needed in every part of the world, and will be drawn from both public and private sources. However, there is a vast difference between the financing capacity of various nations. In recognition of that, higher income countries have committed to providing lower income countries with finance to assist them in their climate action. This financial backing is essential to help them adapt to a changing climate, protect local livelihoods, and build resilient economies. In practice, it bridges the gap between global policy and lived reality – funding community-level initiatives like climate-smart agriculture, livestock protection, and sustainable water systems so small-scale farmers can withstand climate shocks and feed their families.
While Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen will lead negotiations at COP31 on behalf of Australia, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong holds the crucial keys to Australia’s aid budget, which includes climate finance. In the lead-up to the summit, we are asking Minister Wong to boost Australia’s climate finance commitment, and deliver our fair share of what is needed to make global climate goals a reality on the ground.
Acting out of love for our global neighbours needn’t come at the expense of addressing the challenges here at home. In fact, it is both a moral calling to do so and a practical choice that helps build a safer world for all. Globally, 266 million people face acute food insecurity, and 1 in 5 people face hunger in Africa. When climate extremes destroy harvests overseas, global food systems destabilise, impacting everyone. Supporting smallholder farmers to build climate resilience protects global food security and builds regional stability, allowing communities everywhere to flourish.
Yes – especially right now. As President of Negotiations at COP31, Australia isn't just taking part in the meeting; we are guiding the table. By leading generously and delivering our fair share, Australia gains the moral authority to persuade other wealthy nations to fulfil their promises. Our leadership can help bridge the gap between high-level international policy and the daily realities of vulnerable communities.
Yes, when delivered through targeted, high-quality aid programs and trusted local partners like Tearfund. Latest UN data reveals that nearly 80% of the world's poor – 887 million people – live in regions exposed to extreme climate hazards. Climate finance directly funds local solutions – such as climate-smart agriculture training and livestock diversification – giving smallholder families living below the poverty line the exact tools and backing they need to bounce back and secure their own food security.
When crisis threatens to overwhelm hope, God’s people are called to something different: to respond with courageous hope that stands with our neighbours, cares for creation, and shapes just futures for generations to come. Join us in person on the National Event Tour.
