At 9:00am today, in the annex of the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the Ministers of the Environment from various European Union member countries.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
I cordially greet you all Ministers of the Environment from the European Union whose work in recent years has been of great importance for the care of our common home. In fact, the environment is a collective heritage for all humanity and the responsibility of all of us: a responsibility which must be accepted and which requires effective collaboration involving the entire international community.
I thank you for having expressed your interest in this meeting which offers me the opportunity to share with you, even briefly, a few reflections, in anticipation of a few important international events which will take place in the coming months: the adoption of sustainable development goals at the end of this month and the COP 21 gathering in Paris.
I want to focus on three principles. First, the principle o solidarity, a word that is sometimes forgotten, at other times abused in a sterile manner. We know that the people who are most vulnerable to environmental degradation are the poor, who suffer the most serious consequences. Solidarity therefore means to enact effective tools, capable of uniting the fight against environmental degradation induced by poverty. There are numerous positive experiences in this direction. It's a matter, for example, of development and transference of appropriate technologies, capable of utilizing the best human, natural and socio-economic resources, which are more readily available at local levels in order to guarantee their sustainability even in the long run.
Second, the principle of justice. In the Laudato si’ encyclical I spoke of ecological debt, especially between the North and the South connected to trade imbalances with consequences in the context of ecology, as well as the disproportionate use of natural resources historically exploited by some countries. We must honour this debt. These nations are called upon to contribute to solving this debt by setting a good example: limiting consumption of non-renewable energy in a big way; providing resources to countries in need for the promotion of policies and programmes for sustainable development; adopting appropriate systems for the management of forests, transportation, waste; seriously addressing the grave problem of food waste; favouring a circular model of the economy; and encouraging new attitudes and lifestyles.
Thirdly, the principle of participation, which requires the involvement of all stakeholders, even of those who often remain at the margins of decision-making. We live, in fact, in a very interesting historical time: on the one hand science and technology give us unprecedented power; on the other, a proper use of this power requires that we adopt a more integral and inclusive vision. This demands that we open the door to dialogue, a dialogue that is inspired by a vision which is rooted in that of integral ecology, the very subject of the Laudato si’ encyclical. This is obviously a big cultural, spiritual and educational challenge. Solidarity, justice and participation for the respect of our dignity and for respect of creation.
Dear Ministers, the COP21 summit is fast approaching and there is still a long way to go to achieve a result that is capable of bringing together the many positive stimuli that have been offered as a contribution to this important process. I strongly encourage you to intensify your work, along with that of your colleagues, so that in Paris the desired result is achieved. For my part and on behalf of Holy See, there will be no lack of support for an adequate response to the cry of the Earth and to the cry of the poor. Thank you.
Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
addressed to the Ministers of the Environment
from various European Union member states
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
I cordially greet you all Ministers of the Environment from the European Union whose work in recent years has been of great importance for the care of our common home. In fact, the environment is a collective heritage for all humanity and the responsibility of all of us: a responsibility which must be accepted and which requires effective collaboration involving the entire international community.
I thank you for having expressed your interest in this meeting which offers me the opportunity to share with you, even briefly, a few reflections, in anticipation of a few important international events which will take place in the coming months: the adoption of sustainable development goals at the end of this month and the COP 21 gathering in Paris.
I want to focus on three principles. First, the principle o solidarity, a word that is sometimes forgotten, at other times abused in a sterile manner. We know that the people who are most vulnerable to environmental degradation are the poor, who suffer the most serious consequences. Solidarity therefore means to enact effective tools, capable of uniting the fight against environmental degradation induced by poverty. There are numerous positive experiences in this direction. It's a matter, for example, of development and transference of appropriate technologies, capable of utilizing the best human, natural and socio-economic resources, which are more readily available at local levels in order to guarantee their sustainability even in the long run.
Second, the principle of justice. In the Laudato si’ encyclical I spoke of ecological debt, especially between the North and the South connected to trade imbalances with consequences in the context of ecology, as well as the disproportionate use of natural resources historically exploited by some countries. We must honour this debt. These nations are called upon to contribute to solving this debt by setting a good example: limiting consumption of non-renewable energy in a big way; providing resources to countries in need for the promotion of policies and programmes for sustainable development; adopting appropriate systems for the management of forests, transportation, waste; seriously addressing the grave problem of food waste; favouring a circular model of the economy; and encouraging new attitudes and lifestyles.
Thirdly, the principle of participation, which requires the involvement of all stakeholders, even of those who often remain at the margins of decision-making. We live, in fact, in a very interesting historical time: on the one hand science and technology give us unprecedented power; on the other, a proper use of this power requires that we adopt a more integral and inclusive vision. This demands that we open the door to dialogue, a dialogue that is inspired by a vision which is rooted in that of integral ecology, the very subject of the Laudato si’ encyclical. This is obviously a big cultural, spiritual and educational challenge. Solidarity, justice and participation for the respect of our dignity and for respect of creation.
Dear Ministers, the COP21 summit is fast approaching and there is still a long way to go to achieve a result that is capable of bringing together the many positive stimuli that have been offered as a contribution to this important process. I strongly encourage you to intensify your work, along with that of your colleagues, so that in Paris the desired result is achieved. For my part and on behalf of Holy See, there will be no lack of support for an adequate response to the cry of the Earth and to the cry of the poor. Thank you.
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