Pope Francis has called for an end to coal, oil, and gas as well as lifestyle changes to mitigate the effects of climate change, according to the BBC.
His call came in his contribution to COP28 in Dubai. Because he is recovering from flu, his address was delivered by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The pontiff also asked for debt forgiveness for poorer countries hit by climate change.
Pope Francis said renewable energy was key to ecological transition, along with ‘the elimination of fossil fuels, and education in lifestyles that are less dependent’.
The BBC reports that there has been growing political momentum at the Dubai gathering for a definitive statement on the future use of coal, oil and gas, the main sources of the warming gases climate scientists say are harming the planet.
Neil Thorns from Catholic international development charity, Cafod, is quoted as saying: ‘The Pope’s message is very well timed as we move into discussions on a global stocktake at COP28.
‘These discussions must be a time for leaders to heed his call: not for a partial change, but a new way of making progress together, and for choosing a culture of life over a culture of death.’