The process for a global stocktake vis-a-vis the Paris Agreement – a center point for this year’s COP – has made clear the need to scale up ambitious action for climate justice.
“The next two years are crucial,” said UN secretary general António Guterres in addressing the media on 11 December. “Countries must leave this COP with a clear understanding of what needs to be done between now and COP30 in Brazil,” he said.
“While there have been initial commitments to the now operationalized Loss and Damage Fund, a mechanism for which the LWF has advocated for many years, so far we have pledges of up to $700 million, which is less than 1% of what is needed to support people facing the greatest challenges from the impacts of climate change. And more importantly, the mechanism for accessing the funds is still unclear,” said LWF program executive for climate justice Elena Cedillo as negotiations moved into their final days.
As for the issue of fossil fuels, for the LWF it is clear: “What the world needs is a complete phase-out of fossil fuels in line with the Paris Agreement goals. The inclusion of new language in the current text of the GST is simply a way to delay necessary decisions.,” Cedillo said as the proposal for a final text was presented by the presidency on 11 December.
“We cannot end with a text of only recommendations and weak decisions, we need to see ambitious commitments,” she added.
A future of climate justice
Young LWF delegates from all regions of the global communion have participated in COP28, bringing to the table their experiences as climate champions in diverse communities across the globe.
As COP28 approaches its finish line, they look ahead beyond the negotiation table to reflect on what is needed to build a future of climate justice rather than climate disaster, and what currently gives them hope.
“Intergenerational justice is a key issue for climate justice – every generation and every country need to be involved,” said LWF delegate Fan Ho Yin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong.
Her words are echoed by Liza Funete of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, who stresses the need for climate change education of young and old alike.
“For me the most important topic is education and awareness. It is important to raise more knowledge about climate change, because as young people, this issue will inevitably affect us,” Funete said.
Savanna Sullivan, LWF program executive for youth, notes that the LWF to this day continues to play a quite unique role in including young people in the global space of COP.
“The world, and the COP, must acknowledge that not only does climate change disproportionately affect young people, but that our conversations about justice are incomplete without the creativity and wisdom of every generation - including youth. Our faith calls our churches to set an example in this,” she says.
