The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has called on world leaders to “commit all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels”. This includes creating an “equitable” post-carbon economy that secures the livelihoods of those who worked in industries that relied on fossil fuels.
In a statement released today to mark the COP29 climate summit underway in Azerbaijan, the Catholic bishops call on world leaders to “establish and implement” a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The bishops have also asked Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels, with “justice at its core” for workers in industries that depend on such fuels.
As COP29 discusses measures designed to prevent the planet passing a 1.5 degrees Celsius rise in pre-industrial temperatures to mitigate the effects of climate change, the statement sets out “the urgent needs of our people and planet” and an argument for a worldwide commitment to ending the extraction of fossil fuels.
A recent report from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) prompted its CEO Simon Stiell to declare that “current national climate plans fall miles short of what’s needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy, and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country”.
This is recognised by the bishops in their statement which describes a transition as being “vital” for “those currently suffering from economic [precariousness], poverty and environmental destruction; and the unborn future generations from whom we are borrowing the Earth”.
The statement continues: “Scotland must contribute to the global effort for the common good by playing its part in a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. It is vital, however, that this transition has justice at its core.
“Recognising the many workers and communities in Scotland who have relied on fossil fuels for their livelihoods, we emphasise that any proposition to move away from fossil fuels must cite clear commitments to a just and equitable transition for all, in particular those in need of secure jobs in the post-carbon economy.
“Simultaneously, commitments must realise justice globally for those who are already the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and who cannot endure further global warming caused by any more fossil fuel extraction.”
Archbishop William Nolan of the Archdiocese of Glasgow welcomed the publication of the statement to coincide with the climate summit in Azerbaijan.
In his capacity as President of Justice & Peace Scotland and of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland’s Care of Creation Office, the archbishop will today celebrate a Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, in which prayers will be offered for meaningful change being instituted at COP 29.
“I urge governments at COP29 to overcome national interests and pledge themselves to concrete action now,” Archbishop Nolan says.
As COP29 summit continues in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, CAFOD notes “we hear that the global debt crisis is robbing countries of their ability to respond to floods, droughts and other impacts of the climate crisis”, reportsCrux.
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas International.
Liz Cronin, CAFOD’s Climate Change Policy Lead said: “It is encouraging that the UK has sent its top team to COP this year”. On 12 November, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Baku.
“I am here at COP this week because this government recognises that the world stands at a critical juncture in the climate crisis,” the prime minister said.
“And the United Kingdom not only has a critical role to play, but also, an opportunity to grasp the chance to maximise opportunities for Britain and make us more secure in the here and now.
“The way I see it, there are two paths ahead: One, the path of inaction and delay, leading to further decline and vulnerability – warming above 1.5 degrees will expose hundreds of thousands more people in the UK to flood risk, greater economic instability, and national insecurity.
“Or second, the path we walk, eyes wide open, not just to the challenges of today but also fixed firmly on the opportunities of tomorrow. This is the path towards national security. Energy independence. And the economic stability necessary to boost living standards for working people.
“So at this COP I was pleased to announce that we are building on our reputation as a climate leader, with the UK’s 2035 NDC target – to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81 per cent on 1990 levels.
“Our goal of 1.5C is aligned with our goals for growth. But a global problem also requires global partnership. Responsible international co-operation. Which is why we took the opportunity at this COP to again urge all parties to come forward with ambitious targets of their own. As we all agreed at the last COP.”
Cronin said CAFOD appreciated the targets set by Starmer, calling it “a strong example for other countries to follow”.
“This is a good first step for a country that wants to establish itself as a climate leader,” Cronin says. “But, to truly achieve that, this headline target must be supported by an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution document, due next year, and a sea-change on providing much more new, additional and grant-based public finance drawn from major polluters.”
Liam Finn, Campaigns Manager at CAFOD, said the climate crisis “is hitting people around the world that have done least to cause it”.
He adds: “Meanwhile, fossil fuel companies are reaping huge profits from driving the crisis. World leaders at COP29 must commit to providing those who are bearing the brunt of the climate emergency with the funding they need to cope – and fossil fuel companies must help to pick up the bill.”
Recently, Church leaders in England have called on the government to create higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to support countries most affected by the climate crisis.
Photo: A woman walks past a pavilion mural that shows wind turbines in Africa on day three at the COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, 13 November 2024. The COP29, which is running from November 11 through 22, is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and other leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the United Nations, countries made no progress over the last year in reducing global emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images.)
