VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, known for his environmental activism and commitment to the poor, will make history by attending the COP28 meeting in Dubai on December 2. This will be the first time a pope has participated in the Conference of Parties (COP) since its inception in 1995. With his presence at the talks, the 86-year-old pontiff aims to use his moral authority to advocate for urgent action on climate change and persuade countries to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Professor Sverker Sorlin, a specialist in global environmental governance at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, believes that the pope’s presence could be a “tipping point” in pushing negotiators in the right direction. He emphasizes that at a time of global challenges, having a moral authority like the pope is more important than ever.
Pope Francis, the leader of 1.3 billion Catholics, has long emphasized the link between climate change and poverty. He highlights that the world’s most marginalized populations bear the brunt of global warming. In 2015, he published a groundbreaking thesis titled “Laudato Si” (Praise Be To You), which not only criticized man-made climate change but also supported his arguments with scientific evidence.
The Paris Agreement, reached in 2015, aimed to limit global warming to “well below” two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a preferable target of 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, a recent UN report warned that the world is far off track in meeting these goals. In response, Pope Francis published “Laudate Deum” (Praise to God) in October, emphasizing that the world is on the verge of collapse, with irreversible damage already occurring.
The upcoming talks in Dubai present an opportunity for a change of direction if countries commit to transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. Tebaldo Vinciguerra, a member of the Vatican office for environmental concerns, highlights the importance of addressing the financing of a “loss and damage” fund to assist climate-vulnerable countries. He also emphasizes the need for a global stocktake to assess progress in curbing warming.
The Vatican has been actively involved in green initiatives since 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI installed solar panels on the audience hall. The Holy See has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent below the 2011 level by 2030, as part of its nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Pope Francis has developed an “Ecological Conversion 2030” plan that includes carbon-neutral projects and technologies, such as the adoption of electric vehicles.
While the Vatican’s own emissions are already negligible, its commitment to environmental sustainability serves as an example for other nations. Pope Francis’ participation in the Dubai talks holds tremendous importance in urging countries to prioritize climate action and address the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by climate change.
Source: The Manila Times
