Catholic climate and environment groups from across the globe have called on rich nations to offer financial support to countries vulnerable to climate change during an ongoing climate conference in Bonn, Germany. Source: UCA News.
The groups from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas called for stronger global action to tackle the climate crisis, including a faster transition away from fossil fuels.
The remarks were made at a press conference on Monday hosted by the Network of Catholic Climate and Environment Actors on the sidelines of the 64th Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“We seek to place human dignity, solidarity, ecological integrity, and care for our common home at the centre of climate action,” said Winnie Naluvoa, advocacy assistant at the International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity, an umbrella network of Catholic social justice organisations based in Europe and North America.
Budi Tjahjono of Franciscans International said climate negotiations must place human rights at the centre of discussions on a just transition.
“The transition away from fossil fuels should not widen the injustices and inequalities that have taken place from the fossil fuel era,” he said.
Madeleine Warner of Misereor, the German Catholic Bishops’ Organisation for Development Cooperation, said the Bonn talks come at a time when trust between developed and developing countries has weakened.
She pointed to frustration among vulnerable nations after previous climate conferences failed to provide sufficient support for countries facing climate impacts.
“There is a lack of trust. The countries that emit the most need to move first,” she said.
However, she highlighted growing international efforts to build cooperation around fossil fuel phase-out, including a recent meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, where more than 50 countries discussed pathways away from fossil fuels.
“International cooperation on transitioning away from fossil fuels is still possible,” she said.
Martin de Jong of Caritas New Zealand described climate finance as a matter of justice rather than charity.
“We have to recognise the massive ecological debt owed by developed countries,” he said.
Mr De Jong said climate finance should be provided mainly as grants rather than loans, warning that many developing countries are already burdened by debt.
FULL STORY
Catholic groups press rich nations for climate justice, actions (By Umar Manzoor Shah, UCA News)
