U.S. Catholic bishops urge world leaders to take decisive climate action at COP31

As world leaders prepare to gather this week for the 31st annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement calling on world leaders to actively work to protect life on our common home.

The annual conference takes place in November or December and this year takes place from Nov. 9–20.

The statement was issued by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, along with President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services Sean Callahan.

“As leaders gather at COP31, we recognize the need for decisive action that will protect and promote human flourishing and our common home. The global Church continues to witness the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” they wrote. “We accompany those most impacted by a changing climate and the resulting extreme weather, rising seas, and biodiversity loss.”

They pointed out that young people in particular “are leading this response, demanding climate justice for their…