Pope Francis, faith leaders issue carbon emissions appeal ahead of UN climate change conference

Pope Francis and religious leaders from across the world appealed on Monday for countries to “achieve net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.”

They made the appeal on Oct. 4 in a joint message signed in the Vatican’s Hall of Benediction, which was decorated with plants to mark the occasion.

“The world is called to achieve net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible, with wealthier countries taking the lead in reducing their own emissions and in financing emission reductions from poorer nations,” they said in the 2,000-word appeal signed by almost 40 faith leaders.

Pope Francis presented the signed text to Alok Sharma, president of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26), and Italy’s foreign minister Luigi Di Maio.

“It is important that all governments adopt a trajectory that will limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C [2.7°F] above pre-industrial levels,” the leaders wrote.

“To achieve these goals of the [2016] Paris Agreement, the COP26 Summit should deliver ambitious short-term actions from all nations with differentiated responsibilities.”

Those present at the live-streamed event included Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Russian Orthodox leader Metropolitan Hilarion, and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar.

They had gathered at the Vatican for the meeting “Faith and Science: towards COP26,” promoted by the British and Italian embassies to the Holy See. The summit brought together religious leaders and scientists ahead of the climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12.

The meeting saw brief addresses by faith leaders, as well as Alok Sharma.

“We need scientists, with their academic authority, to amplify further their voices in the public debate, and faith leaders to use their moral leadership to make the case for action,” he said.

“This appeal does just that, with immense clarity and power.”

“Forty faith leaders have come together, and working with scientists, have created a powerful call to action for the world.”

When it was Pope Francis’ turn to speak, he said he had decided not to read his address aloud to leave for more time to hear from others.

In the written text of his address, shared with participants, he highlighted three concepts.