Christians are being invited to add their names to a statement by leaders of various faiths which will be presented at the COP22 climate change conference in Marrakesh, Morocoo, this week.
The conference, which kicks off in Morocco today and runs until 18th November, takes place after the Paris Agreement – an unprecedented global consensus to limit global warming to “well below” two degrees, and if possible to 1.5 degrees, and build greater resilience to climate change impacts which was agreed late last year – comes into force after it was ratified by enough countries in early October.
Among the countries and state-based organisations which have ratified the agreement are the US, China, the EU, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand. Australia remains among the 100 nations which have not done so.
The COP22 Interfaith Statement calls for states to rapidly increase pledges to reduce emissions in line with the goal of 1.5 degrees, for a “collective shift” by sovereign wealth funds and public sector pension funds away from fossil fuels into renewables and other climate solutions, and for states taking action to address climate change to ensure commitments related to human rights are reflected in any decision adopted at COP22.
The statement will be formally handed over at COP22 on 10th November.
