Give, Act and Pray for COP28 and Global Justice on 9th December

Dec 2nd, 2023

CAFOD supporters will be taking to the streets of London to share Pope Francis' COP28 message and demand action from leaders

Leaders gathering for the 2023 UN climate talks in Abu Dhabi, which started on 30 November, will be doing so in the final weeks of a year that has seen climate disasters affect communities worldwide. Forest fires have forced people to flee homes and hotels in the Mediterranean. Floods in Libya have killed thousands. And away from the front pages, tens of millions of people in East Africa have been struggling to access food due to the worst drought in more than 40 years.

As Pope Francis explained in his recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum: "the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing breaking point". The Holy Father has warned that we are running out of time to avoid even worse climate catastrophes for people in communities that have contributed least to causing the climate emergency.

We have several ways that you can call on world leaders and support communities around the world before COP28 ends on 12 December.

Take to the streets to call for climate action

We'll be marching in London on Saturday 9 December to call for action from leaders at COP28 in the final days of the summit.The march will be one of countless protests taking place around the world demanding that leaders commit to action.

Organisations including CAFOD and Jesuit Missions will be joining a march organised by the Climate Justice Coalition, demanding climate justice for all.

We will be meeting at 10am at the Aula Magna, London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, London, W1K 3AH for a prayer event, followed by the march.

Fundraise for communities most affected by the climate crisis

Join CAFOD's Nativity Fun Run on Saturday 9 December at 11am. We'll be having an amazing, festive time as we run, walk, stroll and roll around Clapham Common.

Dress up, get festive and come along to this 2.5k or 5k route with a difference. It's more than exercise! As you go you'll enjoy activities, music and refreshments.

You can also get your friends and family involved through sponsorship and donations in advance, as well as on the day - or better yet, get them to join you on the day so we can all run, walk, roll or stroll together.

Prayer for the COP28 climate summit

God of blessings,

the universe sings of your glory.

Deepen our gratitude for all you have made

and awaken in us a renewed commitment

to care for the earth and each other.

Inspire world leaders at COP28,

with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change

and with courage to act urgently and wisely,

so that our common home may be healed and restored

and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.

Amen.