Caritas is attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. Together with other faith-based organizations, we are hosting a side event on climate justice - loss and damage - on November 9.

- The summit gives us the opportunity to advocate for climate justice. And to highlight poor countries and their suffering as a result of climate change, which they have not caused themselves.

Aloysius John, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis

Climate change has had a major negative impact on the current food and migration crisis. The international community, and especially the countries responsible for the greatest degradation, must act immediately.

Climate justice

Therefore, Caritas will urge governments to step up their efforts for "loss and damage". This by paying for the irreversible negative consequences that climate change has already inflicted on countries in the form of extreme weather and disasters.

"Loss and damage - achieving climate justice" is also the theme of a separate side event that Caritas Internationalis is hosting on 9 November, along with other faith-based organizations.

- Without a reliable and comprehensive financing solution to secure financial aid, developing countries will sink deeper into debt and poverty every time they are hit by climate disasters.

Aloysius John, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis

Huge consequences

In Fiji, Tropical Cyclone Winston affected 57 percent of livelihoods related to agriculture and caused an estimated USD 1.42 billion in damage (around 30 percent of GDP). In total, 540,000 people are affected. In the Philippines, Typhoon Rai has caused EUR 210 million worth of damage to the agricultural sector and EUR 55 million to the fisheries sector.

- These examples show the urgency of investing in loss and damage mitigation and climate adaptation measures - that is, measures that aim to prevent or minimize damage caused by climate change.

Aloysius John, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis

Agriculture

To meet the needs of poor and vulnerable communities, climate finance must be invested at the local level. And be structured to reduce financial risks and debt problems created by climate change. Funding must be provided as grants and not as loans.

Another important topic during the summit is agriculture, which plays a crucial role in the resilience of local communities to climate change. Currently, only 1.7 percent of climate finance goes to this sector, with a tiny share going to small-scale farmers.

- To solve the global food crises, agriculture must be given a central role in climate change policy. The focus must be on climate-resilient agriculture, innovative solutions and sustainable food systems. To succeed, it is crucial that local knowledge and experiences are included in the work.

Aloysius John, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis