Laudate Deum: Apostolic Exhortation to all people of good will on the climate crisis and the outcomes of COP 28

Geneva and Rome -  The FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, UN Environment Programme, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN in Geneva and Caritas in Veritate Foundation co-organized a hybrid dialogue on 23 April at the Palais des Nations on the key messages of the Laudate Deum, an apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis, and the outcomes of COP28 related to agrifood systems. Centered around the Laudate Deum, published in 2023 as a follow-up to the 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ on “care for our common home”, the event addressed the role that religious communities can play in driving action to address climate change.

As mentioned by the FAO Deputy Director-General Maurizio Martina, the key messages of the Laudate Deum, ignite a sense of urgency and solidarity for environmental stewardship and calls “on all people of good will to care for the poor and the Earth”. His Excellency Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office at Geneva, added by noting the Laudate Deum’s call for urgent action from the international community, as a whole, to take concrete steps to address climate change, while respecting nature. He also stressed the need to ensure justice and food security for all, particularly for the most vulnerable groups and their rights to live a dignified life, and to adopt a new paradigm of management and cooperation based on multilateralism that transcends borders and ideologies. In the same spirit, Professor Jaime Tatay from the Pontifical University of Comillas urged to recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings, the need for all actors, including faith-based organizations, to coordinate to address the climate issue and the need to focus on the most vulnerable.

Arnold Kreilhuber, Director of the UNEP Europe Office mentioned that in addition to the moral imperative to take care of the planet, the Laudate Deum calls for renewed efforts in international cooperation. He added this message is in alignment with the theme of the UN Environment Assembly’s 6th Session (UNEA-6) on effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Recognising the role of faith-based leaders in driving action for climate change, Kreilhuber said that UNEP’s Faith for Earth Coalition also coordinated and supported the participation of faith actors at the Faith Pavilion at COP28.

Further on COP28, Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, gave a presentation on FAO’s work on climate change and the outcomes and milestones of COP28 related to agriculture and food security, such as the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems & Climate Action. He also emphasized that the 1.5-degree goal is impossible to attain without investing in agrifood system solutions.

The dialogue also provided an opportunity to discuss innovative social and technological responses, and a space to hear the perspectives of different stakeholders – young people, indigenous peoples, scientific experts, governments, and international organizations – on how agrifood systems can play a role in protecting the environment and fighting climate change while meeting the food and nutrition needs of people around the world. Dan Gustafson, the Special Representative of the FAO Director-General, moderated a panel discussion composed of various stakeholders who approach climate action in agrifood systems in different ways.

Emmanuelle François, President of a farmers’ association Les Journées Paysannes, discussed what the Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum mean to the association and how they drive action among its farmers for sustainable farming, agroforestry and regenerative agriculture. Similarly, Ombeline Massot, agricultural engineering student from UniLaSalle, presented her vision as a young farmer and student and stressed that an integral approach to ecology is fundamental to develop a resilient and respectful agriculture. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, President of the Association Tinhinan, indigenous peoples’ group in Mali, shared her vision to the role of indigenous knowledge in farming and how its holistic approach addresses the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Technology was also one of the main topics discussed by the panelists. Marieke Hood from the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) shared that quantum computing could become a technology that can be used to improve food security.

After hearing the different perspectives, the representatives of the next two presidencies for COP28 and COP29 provided statements on their national priorities and the main topics envisaged for their respective COPs. Among the topics for the COP29, Dilara Abdullayeva, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN in Geneva, particularly emphasized the efficient management of transboundary water resources, green transition and strengthening global solidarity on climate change. Azerbaijan also aims to approach the negotiations with all parties involved through a lens of transparency, inclusivity and neutrality, and will ensure young people's involvement in the process.

His Excellency Tovar Da Silva Nunes, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN in Geneva, said that Brazil, which also holds the presidency of the G20, will give priority to social issues linked to climate change, as well as the fight against hunger and poverty, with a focus on sustainability. He also noted that Brazil's commitments and obligations on climate change are fully aligned with the Laudate Deum, as climate change is a global social issue, where social inequalities must be tackled, as well as hunger and poverty. For COP30, which will take place next year in Belem, Brazil wants to highlight not only the idea of social concern, but also the impact of climate change on the indigenous peoples in the region.