Bishop John shares statement for COP30
Monday 10th November 2025Today, leaders from around the world will gather in Belem, Brazil, for COP30, where nations will be invited to renew and strengthen their climate pledges.
COP30 offers an important opportunity for countries to recommit to the multilateral promise made through the Paris Agreement: to limit the rise of average global temperature to well below 2C, commit to net zero and to assist poorer countries to reach climate targets.
Bishop John Arnold, the lead bishop for the Environment, said: “While there has been progress made since that agreement was signed ten years ago, we are sadly witnessing a troubling reality. Despite worsening climate threats, many major economies continue to expand fossil fuel production and global emissions have reached record highs. We have even seen a rise in political figures questioning the need of urgent climate action. This is a serious cause for concern.”
Appealing to the government, Bishop Arnold said: “I urge our government to renew its commitment to net zero and resist the temptation to row back on its pledges. Leadership means both meeting our own responsibilities and encouraging other nations to do the same, while offering support to those countries already suffering the harshest effects of climate crisis. We need delivery. ”
Bishop John added: “As Catholics, we should do what is in our power to care for creation and our common home. As Pope Leo reminded us in the Season of Creation: ’More than ever, we need to work together, to think of future generations and take urgent action if we are to truly respond to the scale of this climate crisis.’ “
“I invite Catholics to support CAFOD’s campaign to urge the UK government to take decisive on the climate emergency. You can take part by sending a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband via this link: COP30: Take action on the climate crisis ,and by doing so, make your voice heard.”
Bishop John further added that “climate action is not a luxury for calmer times. It is an urgentmoral and practical necessity. I invite all Catholics pray that leaders gathered at COP30 will show courage and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”
Let us Pray
Let us pray for the gathering of so many world leaders and representatives of governments at the COP30 meeting in Brazil.
May they be bold in making the necessary decisions for the repair of damage that we have done to our world with the impact of Climate Change, particularly on those of the poorest nations who have done least to cause it.
May we reclaim the privilege of being stewards of creation, for the benefit of future generations.
