Representatives of Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places will attend COP31 in Türkiye this week, joining global and regional Jesuit networks to advocate for climate action grounded in ecological justice, equity, and the voices of communities on the frontline of climate change. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
In partnership with the regional River Above Asia and Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN), the organisation will support and accompany young people from across the Asia-Pacific region to participate in COP31-related engagement.
“We are grateful to be attending CO31 alongside young people from various parts of the Asia-Pacific region, including First Peoples, who have the shared experience of their daily lives being impacted by climate change,” Michael Fendel, Ecological Justice Coordinator at Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places, said.
“The knowledge, leadership and lived experience of young people on the frontline of climate impacts must be critical in climate decision-making both locally and globally,” Mr Fendel said
Centre for Just Places general manager Kate Lowsby said: “Climate change is a matter of environmental, social and intergenerational justice, which reflects and deepens existing inequalities in power, wealth, access to resources and decision-making.
“This is demonstrated in the fact that those who contribute least to climate change – including First Peoples, low-income households and marginalised communities – are often most affected by its consequences despite having played the smallest role in causing them.”
Established in 2021, the Centre for Just Places works across people, place and planet to advance social and ecological justice – bringing together research, action and advocacy to understand and respond to the social, environmental and structural factors that shape people’s lives and the places they live.
Jesuit Social Services also convenes the Jesuit Conference Asia Pacific Eco Justice Advocacy and Engagement Project, working with Jesuit ministries and partners across the Asia-Pacific region to advance ecological justice and climate advocacy.
In early 2027, the organisation will release the latest version of its Dropping off the Edge research, mapping socio-economic and environmental disadvantage across every community in Australia.
“Through the Centre for Just Places, Jesuit Social Services will use COP31 to highlight the need for stronger and more equitable climate adaptation and resilience policies in Australia, ensuring that the people and communities most affected by climate change are prioritised in planning, investment and decision-making,” Ms Lowsby said.
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Climate justice must be the measure of success at COP31 (Melbourne Catholic)
