Christian groups are urging the UK government to demonstrate ambition and commitment as part of its climate justice agenda as the United Nations annual climate conference COP28 opens on 30 November in United Arab Emirates.
Pope Francis is expected to address COP28 at the weekend and inaugurate a Faith Pavilion for the first time at a UN climate conference. More than 300 faith representatives and public figures are expected alongside 70-plus leading faith-based organisations at the pavilion, a dedicated space for different religions and traditions to come together for daily prayers and discussion. The Vatican and the Caritas network will emphasise that more than three billion people live in contexts vulnerable to climate change, including many of the world’s poorest and most marginalised people.
Supporters of Cafod, which will be represented in Dubai, are calling for COP28 to phase out fossil fuels, to fund loss and damage with new money and to support small-scale farmers who are growing food in sustainable ways that protect nature.
Christian Aid wants the UK to honour existing pledges, such as a commitment in 2019 to provide £11.6 billion in adaptation and mitigation finance by 2026 and to end all new UK fossil fuel extraction projects and invest in renewable, efficient energy.
COP28 marches are expected to take place worldwide on Saturday 9 December. Cafod, Christian Aid, A Rocha, Columban missionaries and members of the National Justice and Peace Network are among those in the UK joining the global day of action at a march through Central London from midday calling for action from leaders at COP28 in the final days of the summit. Jesuit Missions will be hosting an hour-long special prayer and hot drinks event at the London Jesuit Centre in Mayfair, Central London, from 10am before heading off to the march. In Scotland, Sciaf supporters and Scotland Justice and Peace will be outside the Scottish Parliament with placards the same day.
Christian Climate Action members organised vigils at MP offices last week, criticising the UK rolling back climate policies and supporting new oil and gas licences for exploration in the North Sea. Activists warned that United Arab Emirates is an oil and gas-producing country and that the fossil-fuel lobby is likely to work against ending the fossil fuel age.
Last month, Bishop John Arnold, lead bishop for environmental issues, wrote to prime minister Rishi Sunak, enclosing a copy of Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum in which Francis says, “The most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international level”.
Green Christian will be running a virtual pilgrimage over the 12 days of COP28. At 8am every morning, there will be 10 minutes of prayer and reflection online.
COP28 will be attended by world leaders, senior ministers and officials from 198 countries, along with an estimated 70,000 delegates. Sunak is expected to attend and King Charles III will give the opening speech, along with the UN secretary general, António Guterres.
Programme for the faith Pavilion at COP28.
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