Leaders from the Catholic Church in the Philippines present at the COP 28 climate talks in Dubai are urging global leaders to reach a decision that will put an end to the proliferation of fossil fuels, and help avert worse suffering for poor and vulnerable peoples most impacted by climate change, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental said Tuesday, Dec. 12.
“Thousands of us came to COP28 with the hope that it will deliver the climate action we all so desperately seek. Our young people and vulnerable communities bravely spoke up too. But the latest Global Stocktake is crushing that hope”, said Alminaza, chair of the National Laudato Si’ Program of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, who is in Dubai.
The call for a strong decision against fossil fuels comes after a new text for the Global Stocktake (GST) dropped on the eve of the scheduled last day of the climate conference, featured far weakened language than earlier drafts on the urgency of transitioning to clean energy, he said.
The GST is one of the biggest features of the climate conference, as it sees parties taking stock of climate action and gaps to keep global temperature rise from going beyond the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C or the less ambitious 2°C, he said.
“Our global leaders have the moral duty to use the remaining hours of this climate conference to deliver action compatible with 1.5°C, and herald a full and equitable phase out of all fossil fuels. Now is their chance to make the courageous decision to pursue the global common good above their national interests. Our time is running out,” Alminaza said.
The new text was received with much concern by civil society and several parties, including the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) group which proclaimed they would not sign their own “death warrant” based on this text, he said.
Fr. Edwin Gariguez, a Goldman Prize awardee and lead convenor of the Protect Verde Island Passage (Protect VIP) network in the Philippines, said world leaders must keep the best interests of people and nature in mind in coming up with final decisions.
“The earlier we phase out fossil fuels, the earlier our communities will be free from their deadly impacts, and our waters and seas can recuperate from pollution. A phase out of all fossil fuels will help ensure that generations to come can have a fighting chance and to ensure the survival and sustainability of all Creation,” Gariguez said. *