Pope Leo XIV criticized the lack of political will in fighting the climate crisis. “What failed was the political will of some parties,” he said in a video message at the start of the crucial week of the World Climate Conference in Brazil and acknowledged the progress achieved through the Paris Climate Agreement agreed ten years ago. It was not the agreement that failed, but “our reaction to it.”
Negotiators in Belém, Brazil, must show they “unwaveringly” support the Paris climate agreement and climate cooperation, said Pope Leo. The Paris Agreement has “made real progress” and remains “the best way to protect people and the planet.”
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to below two degrees, but if possible 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. Pope Leo’s home country, the United States, withdrew from the Paris Agreement under the leadership of President Donald Trump.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said at the start of climate talks in Belem that the international community had “failed” to adhere to the 1.5 degree limit. Climate scientists now assume that it will be almost impossible to prevent the 1.5 degree limit being exceeded in the coming years. With the right actions, the earth could return to its 1.5 degree path by the end of the century.
“Creation’s scream in the form of a storm”
In his message, Pope Leo drew attention to the climate impacts that are already being felt today: “Society cries out in the form of floods, droughts, storms and unrelenting heat. One in three people lives in grave danger due to these climate impacts,” said Pope Leo.
In light of climate negotiations between nearly 200 countries, the church leader called for greater ambition. There is still time to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. “But the window of opportunity is closing.” Humanity, as stewards of God’s creation, is called to act with foresight and protect what God has entrusted to it, the Pope said.
UN Climate Secretary Simon Stiell spoke of the Pope’s “powerful message”. “His words call on us to continue choosing hope and action,” Stiell said, and to support people around the world suffering from floods, droughts, storms and unrelenting heat due to global warming.
The second and important week of the UN climate conference COP30 begins on Monday. Negotiators from around 190 countries are particularly fighting for more ambitious climate protection measures, for example in the form of a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels and climate finance for poorer countries.
