As the world prepares for the United Nations’ annual climate conference, a trio of influential Catholic voices from the United States is urging global leaders to take substantial steps in addressing climate change. Their appeal comes at a pivotal moment, underscoring the urgent need for action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants.
“The global Church continues to witness the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” stated Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, and Sean Callahan, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services. These figures have significant roles in their respective organizations, with Archbishop Fabre leading the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Bishop Zaidan heading the Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Callahan at the helm of the bishops’ official overseas humanitarian and development agency.
Before the commencement of COP31 from November 9-20 in Antalya, Turkey, the three leaders issued a joint statement. The COP meetings, named after the “Conference of the Parties” to the 1992 U.N. climate agreement, are conducted under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has been operative since 1994 with 198 parties involved, including 197 countries and the European Union.
Focusing on Climate Action Goals
According to the COP31 website, the conference will emphasize controlling global temperature increases, adapting to extreme weather events, and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The Catholic leaders emphasized in their statement the necessity for “decisive action that will protect and promote human flourishing and our common home.”
They referenced Pope Leo XIV’s message to COP30 attendees, which highlighted that creation is “crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat.” The pope’s message pointed out that while progress has been made, it remains insufficient. It also stressed that the Paris Agreement is not failing, but rather the collective response to it, noting the importance of supporting communities most vulnerable to climate change.
With the agenda of COP31 including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and negotiation of climate finance for developing nations, the leaders also called for financial assistance prioritizing grants over loans to aid poorer countries in building resilience without accruing debt.
Ensuring a Just Transition
The conference is expected to address the necessity of a “just transition” for workers and communities affected by climate change, as detailed on the COP31 website. The Catholic leaders urged negotiators to establish metrics for adaptation progress and finalize a mechanism for aiding developing countries in moving away from fossil fuels while ensuring that the dignity of workers and communities is preserved.
Additionally, COP31 will feature a separate Climate Action Agenda aimed at uniting governmental, civil, and economic entities to tackle climate impacts on food, health, and infrastructure resilience against climate change.
The leaders expressed their solidarity with those most affected by climate change, highlighting the role of young people in leading the charge for climate justice. “Their witness is our hope: proof that our faith in action answers the hardest realities,” they remarked.
Finally, Archbishop Fabre, Bishop Zaidan, and Callahan echoed Pope Leo’s sentiments, urging leaders to align their commitments with the needs at hand and to consider the human element behind the statistics in climate negotiations.
Original Story at www.osvnews.com