The Pope and religious leaders called for carbon emissions to be reduced to zero

During the meeting "Faith and Science. Towards COP26" on Monday, October 4, 2021, organized by the British and Italian Embassies next to the Holy See together with the Holy See, the Holy Father and religious leaders signed a joint call, asking the world to reduce carbon emissions to zero as soon as possible.

Attending the meeting were representatives of religions such as Shi'a Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, etc. Particularly present were Patriarch Bartolomeo of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, and Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb of Al-Azhar Islamic University.

Reduce emissions to zero

In the signed call, nearly 40 religious leaders said: “The world is called to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible, with rich countries taking the lead in reducing their own emissions and funding emissions reductions from poorer countries.”

“It is important that all governments adopt a path that will limit the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels,” religious leaders stressed. “To achieve these goals of the [2016] Paris Agreement, the COP26 Summit needs to produce ambitious short-term actions from all countries with different responsibilities.”

The joint document also calls on governments to “raise their ambition and international cooperation to support the transition to clean energy; to adopt sustainable land use practices; to transform food systems to be environmentally friendly and respectful of local cultures; to end hunger; and to promote sustainable lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production”.

Heal wounded humanity

“We inherited a garden: we must not leave a desert to our children,” the document reads. “Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home.” "Scientists have warned us that there may be only a decade left to restore the planet.  We ask the international community, present at COP26, to take swift, responsible and shared action to protect, restore and heal our wounded humanity and the home entrusted to our stewardship."

Hope for solidarity

The religious leaders issued an appeal: “We call on everyone on this planet to join us on this common journey, knowing well that what we can achieve depends not only on opportunities and resources, but also on hope, courage, solidarity and good will.”

"In an age of division and despair, we look to the future with hope and solidarity. We strive to serve everyone in the world, especially the poor and future generations, by encouraging prophetic vision, an act of creativity, respect and courage for the good of the Earth, our common home."

Red Flood - Vatican News