Jesuit Missions and otherJesuit groups gear up for COP30 talks

Image: Jesuit Missions

Source: Jesuit Missions

Representatives from Jesuit Missions are set to be part of a strong Jesuit presence at the upcoming COP30 climate talks in Brazil.

It is helping to fund the attendance of members of its partner organisation the Centre Arrupe Madagascar, which provides educational and practical training on protecting the environment.

And it is part of the Jesuits for Climate Justice: Faith in Action at COP30 campaign group, a global Jesuit initiative coordinated by the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) in Rome.

The group, which also includes the Jesuit European Social Centre in Brussels, Jesuítas Brasil and other individual Jesuits, has produced a series of resources to help people engage with the conference, which runs from 10-21 November.

These include a weekly podcast covering spiritual and environmental themes and a prayer guide covering each day of the COP.

Throughout the talks, it will produce a daily bulletin, which will include news roundups, as well as reflections and media from those on the ground in Belém.

These will be published via Ecojesuit - the SJES's online information portal - with links also available on the Jesuit Missions' website and its social media platforms.

It will also promote material from Radio Amar e Servir, run by the Jesuits in Brazil and one of the few Catholic media organisations present at the conference, which will broadcast live from the negotiation zones each day.

Jesuit Missions, alongside its partners such as the Centre Arrupe, has consistently raised awareness of the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the planet, particularly in countries in the Global South.

Representatives from the Centre Arrupe were also present at last year's COP in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they welcomed the opportunity to highlight climate issues in their country on a world stage.

Richard Solly, Campaigns and Advocacy Adviser at Jesuit Missions, said: "The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has shown how urgent it is to take serious action to limit global heating.

"The cost of inaction will dwarf the huge cost of action. That is why it is important that faith organisations and other civil society groups at COP30 pile on the pressure.

"Every fraction of a degree will make a difference, so if governments can be persuaded to take some action, it is better than taking no action.

"We have to keep hope alive step by step - and that's what the Jesuit presence at COP30 aims to do."

COP30, the year's biggest and most important climate conference, is being held in Belém, Brazil, between 10-21 November.

Jesuit Missions is the international mission and development organisation of the Jesuits in Britain. For more than 60 years, it has supported vulnerable communities in the Global South. It engages in projects in multiple countries and regularly works with schools and parishes in the UK. Jesuits in Britain CIO. Registered Charity Numbers: 1207742 (England and Wales) and SC053495 (Scotland).

The Centre Arrupe Madagascar focuses on training and awareness raising in four areas: environment and sustainable development, citizen participation and economic efficiency, health and family ministry, and research and documentation. It holds regular 'Green Weekend' events built around workshops and conversations on environmental issues.

Jesuits for Climate Justice has four key asks for COP30: cancel the debt of poorer countries; strengthen the loss and damage fund; set clear targets for a fair energy transition; set clear goals to develop a global food-based system.