Andy Drozdziak
As COP27 begins, CAFOD says that poor communities are being ‘failed’ by world leaders as reports emerged that the UK is pursuing deals with the USA for more fossil fuels.
CAFOD’s Graham Gordon condemned the pursuit of fossil fuels.
“The world is being failed by its leaders,” he said. “The UK Prime Minster says he is committed to limiting rising temperatures to 1.5 degrees and announced financial support for adaptation and loss and damage. Yet within 24 hours it emerges we will potentially be spending billions on importing gas from the USA. This completely undermines efforts to tackle climate change and will deliberately contribute to the worsening of the climate crisis.”
Catholic UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres backed CAFOD’s words on fossil fuels. Speaking at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, he hit out at the “rank deception” of fossil fuel firms with net zero pledges who are still expanding their operations.
“Using bogus ‘net-zero’ pledges to cover up massive fossil fuel expansion is reprehensible. It is rank deception,” he said.
“This toxic cover-up could push our world over the climate cliff. The sham must end.”
Cardinal Pietro Parolin also delivered a message on behalf of Pope Francis at COP27, stating that world leaders have “a moral obligation” to act seriously and together to safeguard the planet and to offer concrete aid to people suffering the “more frequent and more serious humanitarian impacts caused by climate change.”
The cardinal told world leaders that “the growing phenomenon of migrants being displaced” by climate change is something they must act on because currently “they lack access to international protection” recognising them as deserving special care.
The news comes as a new poll shows that nearly 60% of Catholics believe the government has done too little to tackle climate change in the last year.
The YouGov poll, commissioned by CAFOD in the run up to COP27 underlines the desire within the Catholic community for the government to do more to tackle climate change and support those affected by its consequences.
The key findings are:
• Nearly 6 out of 10 Catholics feel the government has done too little to tackle climate change in the last year
• Just 20% and 24% of Catholics and Christians respectively believe the government is committed to its Net Zero target and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• 1 in 3 Catholics said the government is doing too little to support poorer countries to tackle climate change.
Lead Bishop for the Environment and CAFOD chair Bishop John Arnold has challenged the UN climate summit attendees to develop solutions to the “defining challenge of our generation”.
“It is our Christian duty to protect our planet,” he said. “CAFOD and its partners are doing what they can to respond, but action is needed at an international level to avert this potential disaster. That is why it is vital that steps are taken to limit global temperatures. We need concrete action to keep us within a 1.5 degree temperature rise. We need to focus on investing in renewable energy and move away from fossil fuels.”
Bishop Arnold called for ‘those most in need’ to be prioritised.
“We know that the world faces a financial crisis but we hope that governments can come to a solution where those most in need are put at the top of the agenda, with those who have caused the climate crisis providing their fair share,” he said.
“For too long, we have been reliant on fossil fuels which are causing devastation to communities around the world. I pray the government and world leaders will seize this opportunity and invest in renewable energy so we can protect our planet for future generations. “
Campaigners are demanding rich countries commit at COP27 to set up and contribute towards a ‘loss and damage fund’, meaning the countries that have historically polluted the most provide financial support to countries that have contributed least to the climate crisis but are being hardest hit.
Graham Gordon said: “We need significant investment in renewable energy at home, so we have control over our own energy sources. Energy security cannot be achieved by relentlessly pursuing fossil fuels, which will only contribute further to the climate crisis and continue to devastate lives.”