This year Caritas Internationalis will participate in global climate talks at COP28 (30 November – 12 December) in Dubai as part of the Holy See Delegation. At COP28, Caritas, a confederation of 162 national member organisations, will urge state leaders to support Global South nations, which bear a disproportionate burden from the impacts of the climate crisis.
Caritas focus priority areas at COP28 are: Loss and Damage, Climate Finance, Adaptation, The Global Stocktake (GST), Mitigation, and Food and Agriculture. The Caritas delegation at COP28 includes representation from diverse regions, including Australia, Caritas France, Malawi, Norway, Caritas Zambia, CRS, SCIAF, CAFOD, Brazil, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Together, our collective experiences and commitment aim to propel meaningful discussions and actions that will address the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
At COP28, Caritas Confederation is calling on state parties to:
- Establish a fit for purpose Loss and Damage (L’& D) Fund that truly meets the needs of people at the frontlines of the climate emergency.
- The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance to serve as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in the transformational change that is required – to mobilise and deliver finance in a way that addresses the needs of developing countries.
- Framework on the Global Goal on Adaptation pursues equity, shared priorities and provides flexibility that facilitates country-driven and locally led adaptation and improves coordination within the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement and with external organisations.
- COP28 to provide an objective and constructive manner of dialogue to ensure the purpose of the Global Stocktake and motivate parties and international cooperation to demonstrate progress, enhance climate action and support.
- Keep 1.5°C within reach by accelerating and equitably shifting away from fossil fuels.
- COP28 to underscore enhanced support for Global South smallholder food producers through climate finance and capacity building, while Caritas emphasizes community-driven, inclusive, and agroecological approaches for transformative impact in local food system
Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, states: “We have this responsibility to one another and our common home. Unless leaders come together with bold ambition and courage to tackle the issues of climate change, and particularly loss and damage, we will get nowhere in Dubai. The Loss and Damage Fund is absolutely fundamental for the restitution and restoration of people’s lives. It needs to be put at the centre of climate negotiations.”
On December 5, 2023, between 13:15 and 14:45 (Dubai time), Caritas Internationalis, in collaboration with the Holy See, will host a joint side event titled “Addressing Non-Economic Loss & Damages through a shared understanding of Human Development & Integral Ecology.” For additional details, including the venue, please refer to the enclosed flyer.
In the lead up to COP28, Caritas released two publications highlighting the devastating impact climate change is already having on vulnerable communities in different regions. Displaced by a Changing Climate: Caritas Voices Protecting and Supporting People on the Move gives visibility to the lives of those who suffer from the reality of being displaced due to climate change and Unheard, Uncharted: A holistic vision for addressing ‘non-economic’ loss and damage examines the vital importance of understanding, assessing and including ‘non-economic’ loss and damage in climate policy discussions.
You can read or download the Caritas Internationalis position on COP28 here.