COP28 rally in central London, 9 December 2023 Image: Colette Joyce

Westminster Justice and Peace joined many other groups at the Global Day of Action march in central London for COP28 on 9 December 2023

Coinciding with the final days of the climate summit in Dubai, the London gathering brought together Christian groups including CAFOD, Jesuit Missions, Christian Aid, Tearfund, Christian Climate Action, Operation Noah, Green Christian, Laudato Si’ Movement, Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology, and the Quakers.

We also joined up with other activists from Faiths for the Climate and The Climate Coalition, marking the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice on the final Saturday of COP28 by taking part in COP28 marches and rallies throughout the UK.

We were united in calling for action at COP28 before time runs out.

Read the Tablet Report here

COP28 has confirmed what we need to do

The UN climate conference has now concluded and its impact is being assessed. While the negotiations have still fallen short of what is needed, in some ways the conference has exceeded expectations.

Reporting on the outcomes of COP28, Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy at CAFOD, said:

“COP28 has confirmed what we need to do with an explicit reference to a world without fossil fuels and support to the most vulnerable communities through the agreement of a loss and damage fund.”

Neil recognises there is still a risk of delivering only the appearance of concern, rather than substantive change, but in his positive assessment, “We now have the basis to create greater ambition at our national levels. That is the way we will keep to a 1.5 degree pathway.

“It’s encouraging to see increasing government support to link the climate and food agendas, which should be reflected in future national plans and an urgent plan to transform our food system to provide greater support smallholder farmers.”

Read Neil’s report for CAFOD for COP28

With the Jesuit Missions team outside Farm Street Church, 9 December 2023. Photo: Jesuit Missions

POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE TO COP28:‘CHOOSE LIFE, CHOOSE THE FUTURE’

POPE FRANCIS WRITES:

Sadly, I am unable to be present with you, as I had greatly desired.

Even so, I am with you, because time is short. I am with you because now more than ever, the future of us all depends on the present that we now choose.

I am with you because the destruction of the environment is an offence against God, a sin that is not only personal but also structural, one that greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable in our midst and threatens to unleash a conflict between generations.

I am with you because climate change is “a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life.” (Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, 3)

I am with you to raise the question which we must answer now: Are we working for a culture of life or a culture of death? To all of you I make this heartfelt appeal:
Let us choose life! Let us choose the future!

May we be attentive to the cry of the earth, may we hear the plea of the poor, may we be sensitive to the hopes of the young and the dreams of children! We have a grave responsibility: to ensure that they not be denied their future… Read in full