In the Philippines a local fisherman on Tabon Island points to the coastline which he says is disappearing by a metre each year. by Kathlene Soo

Climate Talks Must Deliver

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Last month’s climate negotiations in Bonn failed to focus on the real agenda according[LW1] to the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) Climate Justice network.

The negotiations were part of preparations for COP 28 (Conference of Parties), United Nations’ climate change talks to be held in Dubai beginning on November 30.

“A lot is hanging on the next round of climate talks. Rich countries need to change their ways and take seriously their responsibility to people and the planet. As Christians committed to climate justice and the care of God’s creation, we need to push them to cut emissions and mobilise funds for the communities most at risk,” says Murray Overton, National Director of Christian World Service, part of ACT Alliance.

“The climate crisis is a justice crisis that cannot be paid for by the communities with the smallest footprint,” said ACT Alliance after the talks.

Climate finance is urgent. Developed countries are not living up to their promises or providing the urgently needed funds to assist people who have lost homes and livelihoods because of drought, floods and conflict caused by the climate crisis.

ACT Alliance is campaigning for visible progress on loss and damage at the COP28 talks. Loss and damage are the impacts that cannot be avoided by adaptation or mitigation, for example loss of land to rising seas.

“The loss and damage fund should guarantee rapid and scaled up finance to vulnerable communities to protect lives, recover livelihoods, and for reconstruction following climate disasters,” says Julius Mbatia, ACT Alliance.

CWS encourages people to pray for the negotiations and join climate justice actions. It is funding local partners that are campaigning for climate justice and helping communities to adapt to the effects of climate change and prepare for disaster.