Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Ahead of the United Nations' annual climate conference, COP 29, Catholic leaders in the U.S. have called for prioritizing the needs of the poor and vulnerable in climate change policies. The event is scheduled to take place from November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The gathering, part of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), includes 198 parties representing countries and the European Union. In a joint statement issued on November 8, Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, and Sean Callahan emphasized that "the impact of climate change policies on the poor and vulnerable must be placed foremost in the minds and hearts" of attendees.

"Pope Francis has underscored care for our earth in his encyclical 'Laudato Si','" they noted, urging that this concern be central to COP 29 deliberations.

Key objectives for COP 29 include setting a new goal for climate finance, enhancing countries' abilities to implement stronger climate actions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building resilient communities. The meeting will also review national climate plans to ensure they are comprehensive and aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as per the Paris Agreement.

Simon Stiell, UNFCCC executive secretary, highlighted COP 29 as "a vital moment for the world," stressing that "this transition must leave no one behind."

The Catholic leaders' statement urged that efforts towards a new finance goal should consider "the needs of poor people and countries." They criticized reliance on loans for climate policy funding as excessive.

They stated that due to its resources, "the United States bears a special responsibility" in shaping discussions beneficially for all humanity while balancing ambition with accountability standards.

"The poor and vulnerable suffer the brunt of intensifying disasters," they said, advocating effective adaptation investment strategies as essential justice measures. They warned against neglecting such adaptations due to their cost-effectiveness compared to disaster consequences.

In conclusion, they expressed hope that "COP29 contribute[s] to the health and healing of our common future."