WelCom November 2023
Concerned leaders across diverse religious communities joined by other individuals and organisations around the globe have been calling for governments to create a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT).
The proposal is to form a global alliance to govern the end to fossil fuel expansion, phase out fossil fuels, and ensure a just transition to non-fossil-fuel energy sources.
In the leadup to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP28, in Dubai 30 November–12 December, Catholic leaders from Oceania and Asia have been amplifying the need for meaningful change through the FFNPT initiative and for support to petition regional and global representatives at COP 28.
The Religious Diversity Centre of Aotearoa New Zealand have been leading the call in this country. The centre’s climate action work group says it is critical for New Zealand’s representatives at COP28 to support the call for the FFNPT. They have been asking individuals and organisations to become signatories to the call and petition to New Zealand’s COP28 delegation.
Archbishop Paul Martin sm and Wellington Archdiocese’s Ecology Justice and Peace Commission have become signatories. The Steering Group for the soon-to-be appointed Palmerton North Diocese JPDE Commission have also endorsed the call.
Estelle Henrys, of the archdiocese’s EJP Commission, says Pope Francis’ letter Laudate Deum released last month, ‘emphasises the urgency of the climate crisis and recognises the most effective solutions will come through courageous political decisions at national and international levels’ [LD 60].
‘Our faith demands we nurture and preserve all of God’s Creation. Our ecological approach is an integrated one responding to the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”.
You can become a signatory to the call by emailing admin@rdc.org.nz or rdc.org.nz/contact,’ says Estelle.
‘Representatives from the Religious Diversity Centre will present these endorsements to the Government on 16 November for New Zealand’s COP28 delegation.’
Visit fossilfueltreaty.org/faith-letter and rdc.org.nz/fossil-fuel-non-proliferation-treaty/ for more information.