This year’s annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, takes place from 11 to 22 November, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Ahead of the conference Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore, said, “COP29 seeks to agree on how much money should go each year to helping developing countries cope with climate-related costs. Pope Francis addressed this issue in his encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (Praise be to you, my Lord) in 2015, as follows,
“As Irish negotiators prepare to travel to Baku, I urge them to be, on our behalf, generous of spirit in recognising the burden imposed on poor countries by rich countries like Ireland.
“Prior to COP28 in 2023, Pope Francis published his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise God for all his creatures), in which he highlighted our dependence of our world on fossil fuels causing climate change, the need for a commitment to a global common good with agreement on prioritising renewable energy measures as well as the failures of international politics, and the weak implementation of COP recommendations.”
Bishop Hayes continued saying, “These same issues remain, and difficult decisions must be taken at a global and national level to avoid potential tipping points in our climate. Major reductions of emissions are needed across all sectors of the economy to meet our legal obligations domestically and internationally. I ask that our political leaders ensure aspirations are turned into implementation, accompanied by a just transition for those whom change is difficult. Pope Francis encourages us when he says, “one can only hope for binding forms of energy transition that meet three conditions: that they be efficient, obligatory and readily monitored.” (LD 59).
“The intertwined climate and biodiversity emergencies require radical and carefully aligned actions to be undertaken. In this regard, I wish to highlight the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference initiative to return 30% of church grounds to nature by 2030. It can be a positive first step on the part of parish communities. Similar initiatives are required on a global scale to respond to the call of Laudato Si’. ”
To read Bishop Hayes’ full statement please click HERE
