Our Work
Guided by biblical teaching, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment seeks to encourage people of faith to weave values and programs of care for God's creation throughout the entire fabric of religious life and to bring the religious voice to the forefront as we join together to address environmental concerns and care for God's Earth and God's people.
Issues
Climate Change
As a profound reflection on the damaged nature of our relationship to creation, climate change is one of the most concerning issues to faith leaders of many faith traditions. The burdens of climate change impacts aren't borne by us equally; part of our work requires us to attend to climate justice and address related social and economic injustices.
Water
Clean water is both a fundamental spiritual and physical need. Water, with its connective and restorative properties, helps us connect with God's creation and sustains us. Attending to clean water access is an important part of our need to address environmental justice.
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Species Protection
The religious community has a particular concern for God's creatures. Every species is part of a fragile web of life, and the loss of a species is an irreparable blow to the balance of an entire ecosystem. We can provide for a new "Noah's Ark" through species protection.
Land
Access to land is one of the most tangible issues of environmental justice; in addition, beautiful, pristine lands help us feel a sense of awe at the marvel of God's creation and allows us to reflect on and connect to our spirituality. Our stories are held on God's lands and our faith requires us to ensure that public lands tell the stories of all communities.
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News & Statements
California Faith Leaders Urge Protections for Endangered Species
In April 2026, amid Administrative attacks on endangered species, senior religious leaders in California wrote to their Senators and Representatives, urging them to stand up for a strong Endangered Species Act and protections for God's animals like the Grizzly Bear, Gray Wolf and Mexican Wolf.
Faith Communities Speak Up Against NHTSA Fuel Economy Rollbacks for Cars and Trucks
Catholic, mainline Protestant, Jewish, Black Church, and multi-faith groups and leaders came together to submit comments opposing the Trump Administration's rollback of federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. More efficient cars and light duty trucks means economic relief for consumers at the pump, cleaner air, and a healthier planet.
Over 4,000 Faith Leaders and 21 Faith Organizations Urge EPA to not Remove Clean Water Protections from America's Wetlands
NRPE Partners with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition to Publish a Dark Sky Guide to the CDT
In December 2025, in celebration of the Winter Solstice and the work that we have done throughout the past year to explore, celebrate, and reflect on the value and meaning of dark skies, NRPE and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition published a Dark Sky Guide to the Continental Divide Trail. Dark Skies are not only critical for our ecological, physical, and cultural health and well-being, they hold immense spiritual value as well. We encourage you to download and explore the guide today and the stars tonight!
Thousands of Black Church Pastors, Pro-Life Christians, and Faith Orgs Lift Their Voice on Behalf of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
In November, a total of 13,300 people of faith - including 90 Black Church pastors in Colorado - in addition to 14 faith-based organizations, affirmed the deep spiritual, ecological, and cultural importance of the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As this land, which is sacred to the Gwich'in people, faces irreversible harms and destruction from oil and gas drilling and seismic testing, we must speak up. People of faith committed to fulfilling the biblical mandate to steward the earth and honor God's creation, are responding to this moral moment.
Faith Communities Respond to EPA Proposal to Rescind the Endangerment Finding
In September 2025, over 18,000 people of faith submitted comments to the EPA voicing their opposition to the proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding. The Endangerment Finding is a landmark 2009 ruling which officially established that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and thus ought to be regulated under the Clean Air Act as pollution which is harmful to human health and the environment.