Jesuits in action at COP 30
“The annual Conference of Parties meetings are sources of both hope and disappointment, and COP 30 was no exception.” So says Niall Leahy SJ, Director of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice. He continues, “Hopes were raised by the parties who were willing to commit to pathways that are in tune with God’s creation. A particular ray of hope at this COP was the organised and visible presence of the worldwide Society of Jesus. Hopes were dampened, however, by the overbearing presence of those parties who are still heavily invested in the fossil-fuelled status quo.”
Niall adds, that from our Christian perspective, this tension is not unexpected. “The Scriptures tell us that when Christ appears, both in history and at the end of history, the contrast between his humble friends and his prideful enemies is also revealed. His presence heightens the tension between good and evil, rather than easing it. We are at a point in history now when this tension is reaching a climax. It was in full view at Belém.”
Niall believes that the minimal consensus expressed by the final COP 30 agreement offered little hope. “It sidestepped the difficult but necessary decisions involved in moving away from fossil fuels. Only courageous and ambitious decisions have any currency now, ecologically and spiritually. To keep hope alive we need to keep our eyes fixed on the better future that lies beyond these hard decisions,” he concludes.
The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and the European Jesuit Centre jointly sponsored Colm Fahy from the Jesuit British Province to attend COP30. He provided updates for the two provinces from the event.
COP 30, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, took place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 November to 21 November, 2025. The conference brought together world leaders, policymakers and scientists for two weeks of crucial climate discussions. This UN conference is an important part of the international calendar as the world collectively grapples with rising emissions and the increasingly obvious impacts of climate change.
Jesuits for Climate Justice, is a worldwide initiative uniting Jesuit institutions and partners in advocacy for a just and sustainable future. Together with EcoJesuit » and their global network, they were working in the lead-up to and during COP30. They had a designated web page » with various features and daily news artilces regarding COP30.
Some of the features included: Daily newsletters »; Guide to COP 30 »; COP30 Policy Brief »; Religious Life for Climate Justice campaign »; Letters to the Earth »; Faith and Ecology podcast »; and COP30 Prayer Guide ». They have also released a video on their social platforms outlining the importance of the event. Click here to view it ».
