Last weekend, the pope participated in the UN's Climate Ambition Summit, along with 77 other world leaders.
The virtual conference was held on the anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres extended invitations only to states that have adopted new measures to prevent the global temperature from surpassing 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit in the next 30 years.
ANTONIO GUTERRES
UN Secretary General
“I call on all leaders worldwide to declare a states of climate emergency in their countries until carbon neutrality is reached.”
During the virtual meeting, the pope announced two important commitments.
POPE FRANCIS
“On the one hand, Vatican City State commits to reducing net emissions to zero before 2050.”
To reduce CO2 emissions, he proposes a more conscientious use of water and electricity on Vatican territory; energy-efficient measures; sustainable transportation; and improved waste management. He also proposes reforestation to compensate for emissions produced.
The pope's second commitment is to promote education in integral ecology in Catholic schools and universities around the world, where about 70 million people study.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translation: CT
