COP31 Climate Summit: Caring for Creation and Those Who Suffer

“Acting together, we can be a much-needed witness and powerful influence in bringing about a conscious change in mentality and lifestyle where Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation become lived values.”

Fr. Joachim Rego, CP
Superior General
May 24, 2021

As Passionists, we are called to recognize and respond to the suffering of others. This includes families facing food insecurity, extreme weather, and the loss of their homes and livelihoods because of climate change.

This week, members of our Laudato Si’ team are virtually attending webinars at COP31 Climate Summit. To put it simply, the two-week-long COP is where the world comes together to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis.

Faith-based organizations are calling for meaningful action which protects the digity of every worker, family and community affected.

World Leaders Gather for Climate Action

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, began on November 9, 2026. To put it simply, the two-week-long COP is where the world comes together to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis, such as limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The United States is, for the second year in a row, not participating since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. This year’s agenda includes the “35×35” pledge, Türkiye’s proposal to electrify 35% of the world’s final energy use by 2035, and an AI pledge to address the intersection of artificial intelligence and climate change.

Behind Every Number is a Family

“Echoing the call of our Holy Father, we ask leaders to leave Antalya having matched the scale of their commitments to the scale of the need — and to remember, in every negotiating room, that behind every number is a family making difficult, daily decisions on survival amidst more extreme, erratic, and frequent climate shocks.”

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace
Mr. Sean Callahan, President and CEO of CRS

Faith-based organizations are calling for meaningful action, including a fair transition to cleaner energy, financial support for vulnerable communities, sustainable food systems, and protection of our oceans.

Faith-Based Priorities for COP31

Catholic Climate Covenant highlights the following as faith-based priorities for the COP. 

• A Binding Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: Establish an immediate, enforceable global timeline to phase out coal, oil, and gas, which centers on protecting the dignity of every worker, family and community affected.
• Just Climate Finance: Prioritize debt-free grants over loans for communities least responsible for the climate crisis.
• Fund Resilient Food Systems: Shift financial support from industrial agribusiness to community-led agroecology. Sustainable farming captures carbon and protects food security from climate disruptions.
• A True “Blue COP”: Center the ocean in climate solutions. The ocean is critical to planetary survival, absorbing carbon, and regulating temperatures. Protecting it is essential.

“Listen very carefully to the voice of Mother Earth, don’t forget the voice of Mother Earth. When we forget the voice of Mother Earth we have lost our memories, our identity, and we have lost justice.” 

Representative of the Guna People, Driving Inclusive and Equitable Climate action through a Just Transition Panel