PRESS RELEASE

ACT Alliance said today that while it was happy to note that the text of the UNFCCC climate negotiations in Paris has managed to progress to the Ministers’ stage of the process,  the text is still weak and contains many of the crucial unresolved issues.

Mattias Söderberg, head of the ACT Alliance delegation at the COP21 in Paris, observed: “There are still big boulders on the road to an ideal Paris agreement and Ministers have an important task in front of them, to clear this road. This is the time for bold leadership and increased ambition by the Ministers and all countries, and not a time to be timid and hide behind differentiation or other parties.”

ACT Alliance noted its particular concern for five key areas, where it said progress must be achieved before an agreement can be adopted.

Söderberg said: “We see five boulders on the road. Firstly, countries must agree on how to share both burdens and opportunities. The old division between developed and developing countries is no longer applicable, and we need a fair and equitable differentiation of the future engagement. Secondly, we already know that the ambition of the Paris agreement will be too low, and there is need for a strong ratcheting up mechanism, including early review to increase ambition. Thirdly, we need global goals, guiding governments and investors, to a low carbon and resilient transformation of future development. Fourthly, parties need to agree on climate finance, to ensure that there are adequate means of implementation to support developing countries in their efforts to engage in both mitigation and resilience. And finally, the Paris agreement should not leave anyone behind. It must acknowledge the situations where adaptation is no longer possible, and Loss and Damage must thus be a central element of the text.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. ACT Alliance is a coalition of 137 churches and faith-based organisations working together in over 100 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalised people regardless of their religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality in keeping with the highest international codes and standards.
2. For more information contact Mattias Söderberg on +45 29700609 and +33-(0) 755364556 email:msd@dca.dk or Thomas Hirsch on  +4917171 5217719 or email: t.hirsch@climate-development-advice.de

PRESS RELEASE

International humanitarian and development network ACT Alliance welcomed the decision to label Thursday 3 December as “Future Generations Day” at the UN climate talks, stating that decisions in Paris will be of a huge importance for children and youth for generations to come.

“Negotiations here in Paris refer to 2050,” said Signe Cecilie Mathiassen, a youth delegate from the ACT Alliance. “However, how many of the delegates will actually see the results themselves in 2050? They should deliver an agreement they can be proud to hand over to their children and grandchildren.”

While highlighting the need to consider future generations, the negotiations to reach an agreement are continuing, with some progress being made in talks about loss and damage.

“On a day where we are asked to consider youth and future generations, I am happy to note that there is some progress in the negotiations, particularly on the issue of Loss and Damage,” said Mattias Söderberg, head of the ACT Alliance delegation at the Paris talks. “Developed and developing countries have very different views on the need to address situations where it is no longer possible to adapt to the effects of climate change. This is unfortunate as this represents the exact worst-case scenario for the poorest and most vulnerable people. With no possibility to adapt, they are forced to migrate, or even to become refugees.”

“We are happy to note how parties now start to look for common ground and that developed countries, including the US, start to acknowledge the need to address loss and damage,” he continued. “The COP21 agreement must answer to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people, and we cannot leave Paris with an agreement where loss and damage is not a solid part of the text.”

ENDS

For more information contact Mattias Söderberg, head of the ACT delegation, on is +45 297 006 09.

PRESS RELEASE

International humanitarian and development network ACT Alliance welcomed the decision to label Thursday 3 December as “Future Generations Day” at the UN climate talks, stating that decisions in Paris will be of a huge importance for children and youth for generations to come.

“Negotiations here in Paris refer to 2050,” said Signe Cecilie Mathiassen, a youth delegate from the ACT Alliance. “However, how many of the delegates will actually see the results themselves in 2050? They should deliver an agreement they can be proud to hand over to their children and grandchildren.”

While highlighting the need to consider future generations, the negotiations to reach an agreement are continuing, with some progress being made in talks about loss and damage.

“On a day where we are asked to consider youth and future generations, I am happy to note that there is some progress in the negotiations, particularly on the issue of Loss and Damage,” said Mattias Söderberg, head of the ACT Alliance delegation at the Paris talks. “Developed and developing countries have very different views on the need to address situations where it is no longer possible to adapt to the effects of climate change. This is unfortunate as this represents the exact worst-case scenario for the poorest and most vulnerable people. With no possibility to adapt, they are forced to migrate, or even to become refugees.”

“We are happy to note how parties now start to look for common ground and that developed countries, including the US, start to acknowledge the need to address loss and damage,” he continued. “The COP21 agreement must answer to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people, and we cannot leave Paris with an agreement where loss and damage is not a solid part of the text.”

ENDS

For more information contact Thomas Hirsch on +4917171 5217719 email: t.hirsch@climate-development-advice.de

PRESS RELEASE

International humanitarian and development network ACT Alliance welcomed the decision to label Thursday 3 December as “Future Generations Day” at the UN climate talks, stating that decisions in Paris will be of a huge importance for children and youth for generations to come.

“Negotiations here in Paris refer to 2050,” said Signe Cecilie Mathiassen, a youth delegate from the ACT Alliance. “However, how many of the delegates will actually see the results themselves in 2050? They should deliver an agreement they can be proud to hand over to their children and grandchildren.”

While highlighting the need to consider future generations, the negotiations to reach an agreement are continuing, with some progress being made in talks about loss and damage.

“On a day where we are asked to consider youth and future generations, I am happy to note that there is some progress in the negotiations, particularly on the issue of Loss and Damage,” said Mattias Söderberg, head of the ACT Alliance delegation at the Paris talks. “Developed and developing countries have very different views on the need to address situations where it is no longer possible to adapt to the effects of climate change. This is unfortunate as this represents the exact worst-case scenario for the poorest and most vulnerable people. With no possibility to adapt, they are forced to migrate, or even to become refugees.”

“We are happy to note how parties now start to look for common ground and that developed countries, including the US, start to acknowledge the need to address loss and damage,” he continued. “The COP21 agreement must answer to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people, and we cannot leave Paris with an agreement where loss and damage is not a solid part of the text.”

ENDS

For more information contact Thomas Hirsch on +4917171 5217719 email: t.hirsch@climate-development-advice.de

Over 20 faith leaders, with youth, political and civil society representatives sat down for a unique lunch at COP21 at a table with knives and forks but no food, in a public demonstration of their hunger for climate justice. The stunt was part of the Fast for the Climate initiatives on December 1st in Paris.

Yeb Saño, former Philippines’ chief climate negotiator, the Most Rev. Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, and Imam Ibrahim Saidy of Norway were among the ‘diners’ taking part in the Fast For The Climate at the UN climate summit in Paris.

The event was a chance for the campaigners to tell gathered journalists and COP delegates why they had chosen to abstain from food: to show solidarity with communities worst affected by global warming and make a compelling call for climate justice.

Other faith leaders at the empty lunch table included Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Primate of the Church of Sweden, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop of Salisbury the Rt. Rev Nick Holtam, and the Rev. Dr Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Together with 10,000 people worldwide, they were part of the global initiative, which takes place on the first of every month. Besides the demonstration, the Fast for the Climate day at COP21 also included an official side event at the climate conference and the celebration of the breaking of the fasting.

Commenting on the inter-faith initiative, Junge stressed the spiritual aspect of fasting. “Since time immemorial, we have fasted in order to get space in our minds and hearts for renewal. So when I fast for the climate, I’m fasting first to get that mental space, that very strong focus, on vulnerable people suffering the most from climate change“, said the head executive of LWF.

“Climate change is an issue of inter-generational justice. That’s why I am fasting for the climate with a particular focus on the youth, who are already taking – and will take – the brunt of what will happen if we remain inactive on this issue”, added Junge.

For Archbishop 
Dr Antje Jackelén fasting is always a powerful reminder of the interdependence among people and with the planet. “Fasting for the climate is an expression of the global commitment in the worldwide church”, she said. “For all of our churches involved in the initiative, this has to do with leadership, values, lifestyle and justice”, added the Swedish church leader.

ACT Alliance general secretary Dr John Nduna fasted in solidarity with those who don’t have food on the table due to climate change. “It’s our responsibility, as an international community, to ensure that climate change is addressed and to reverse the problems that communities are facing, for the sake of those who have nothing to eat, whose children go to bed hungry”, he said.

Later the same day, Fast for the Climate enthusiasts gathered in a small church downtown Paris for the breaking of 24-hour fast and feast to celebrate unity and the solutions for a better future. Organizers estimate that about 10,000 people worldwide were fasting for climate action.

Addressing the participants of the celebration, Yeb Saño, who inspired the Fast for the Climate campaign, emphasized that the initiative is also a mechanism of pressure upon negotiators gathered at COP21. “We want to tell the world leaders here in Paris, that, please, don’t disappoint the world. The whole world is watching”, he said.

Over 20 faith leaders, with youth, political and civil society representatives sat down for a unique lunch at COP21 at a table with knives and forks but no food, in a public demonstration of their hunger for climate justice. The stunt was part of the Fast for the Climate initiatives on December 1st in Paris.

Yeb Saño, former Philippines’ chief climate negotiator, the Most Rev. Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, and Imam Ibrahim Saidy of Norway were among the ‘diners’ taking part in the Fast For The Climate at the UN climate summit in Paris.

The event was a chance for the campaigners to tell gathered journalists and COP delegates why they had chosen to abstain from food: to show solidarity with communities worst affected by global warming and make a compelling call for climate justice.

Other faith leaders at the empty lunch table included Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Primate of the Church of Sweden, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop of Salisbury the Rt. Rev Nick Holtam, and the Rev. Dr Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Together with 10,000 people worldwide, they were part of the global initiative, which takes place on the first of every month. Besides the demonstration, the Fast for the Climate day at COP21 also included an official side event at the climate conference and the celebration of the breaking of the fasting.

Commenting on the inter-faith initiative, Junge stressed the spiritual aspect of fasting. “Since time immemorial, we have fasted in order to get space in our minds and hearts for renewal. So when I fast for the climate, I’m fasting first to get that mental space, that very strong focus, on vulnerable people suffering the most from climate change“, said the head executive of LWF.

“Climate change is an issue of inter-generational justice. That’s why I am fasting for the climate with a particular focus on the youth, who are already taking – and will take – the brunt of what will happen if we remain inactive on this issue”, added Junge.

For Archbishop 
Dr Antje Jackelén fasting is always a powerful reminder of the interdependence among people and with the planet. “Fasting for the climate is an expression of the global commitment in the worldwide church”, she said. “For all of our churches involved in the initiative, this has to do with leadership, values, lifestyle and justice”, added the Swedish church leader.

ACT Alliance general secretary Dr John Nduna fasted in solidarity with those who don’t have food on the table due to climate change. “It’s our responsibility, as an international community, to ensure that climate change is addressed and to reverse the problems that communities are facing, for the sake of those who have nothing to eat, whose children go to bed hungry”, he said.

Later the same day, Fast for the Climate enthusiasts gathered in a small church downtown Paris for the breaking of 24-hour fast and feast to celebrate unity and the solutions for a better future. Organizers estimate that about 10,000 people worldwide were fasting for climate action.

Addressing the participants of the celebration, Yeb Saño, who inspired the Fast for the Climate campaign, emphasized that the initiative is also a mechanism of pressure upon negotiators gathered at COP21. “We want to tell the world leaders here in Paris, that, please, don’t disappoint the world. The whole world is watching”, he said.

Over 20 faith leaders, with youth, political and civil society representatives sat down for a unique lunch at COP21 at a table with knives and forks but no food, in a public demonstration of their hunger for climate justice. The stunt was part of the Fast for the Climate initiatives on December 1st in Paris.

Yeb Saño, former Philippines’ chief climate negotiator, the Most Rev. Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, and Imam Ibrahim Saidy of Norway were among the ‘diners’ taking part in the Fast For The Climate at the UN climate summit in Paris.

The event was a chance for the campaigners to tell gathered journalists and COP delegates why they had chosen to abstain from food: to show solidarity with communities worst affected by global warming and make a compelling call for climate justice.

Other faith leaders at the empty lunch table included Archbishop Antje Jackelén, Primate of the Church of Sweden, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Bishop of Salisbury the Rt. Rev Nick Holtam, and the Rev. Dr Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Together with 10,000 people worldwide, they were part of the global initiative, which takes place on the first of every month. Besides the demonstration, the Fast for the Climate day at COP21 also included an official side event at the climate conference and the celebration of the breaking of the fasting.

Commenting on the inter-faith initiative, Junge stressed the spiritual aspect of fasting. “Since time immemorial, we have fasted in order to get space in our minds and hearts for renewal. So when I fast for the climate, I’m fasting first to get that mental space, that very strong focus, on vulnerable people suffering the most from climate change“, said the head executive of LWF.

“Climate change is an issue of inter-generational justice. That’s why I am fasting for the climate with a particular focus on the youth, who are already taking – and will take – the brunt of what will happen if we remain inactive on this issue”, added Junge.

For Archbishop 
Dr Antje Jackelén fasting is always a powerful reminder of the interdependence among people and with the planet. “Fasting for the climate is an expression of the global commitment in the worldwide church”, she said. “For all of our churches involved in the initiative, this has to do with leadership, values, lifestyle and justice”, added the Swedish church leader.

ACT Alliance general secretary Dr John Nduna fasted in solidarity with those who don’t have food on the table due to climate change. “It’s our responsibility, as an international community, to ensure that climate change is addressed and to reverse the problems that communities are facing, for the sake of those who have nothing to eat, whose children go to bed hungry”, he said.

Later the same day, Fast for the Climate enthusiasts gathered in a small church downtown Paris for the breaking of 24-hour fast and feast to celebrate unity and the solutions for a better future. Organizers estimate that about 10,000 people worldwide were fasting for climate action.

Addressing the participants of the celebration, Yeb Saño, who inspired the Fast for the Climate campaign, emphasized that the initiative is also a mechanism of pressure upon negotiators gathered at COP21. “We want to tell the world leaders here in Paris, that, please, don’t disappoint the world. The whole world is watching”, he said.

World leaders gave a unanimous thumbs up to signal a positive start of the UN Climate talks on on Monday in Paris.  Several leaders expressed commitment and faith in a multilateral process to combat the adverse impacts of climate change.

In a slight change to the climate talks format, world leaders spoke first to launch the negotiations, with 11 governments today pledging nearly US$250m towards support for vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change. International humanitarian and development organisation ACT Alliance said that the move signaled hope for an ambitious agreement that would secure the planet’s future.

Speaking from the ground at the UNFCCC COP21 in Paris, the alliance said that the contributions to the Least Developed Countries Fund showed a new commitment to supporting poor and vulnerable communities and an acknowledgment that action is now needed.

”We welcome these climate finance contributions and we remind the negotiators that there is need to come up with a financial mechanism in the new agreement which shall ensure sustainability and predictability of finance support for resilience of those already suffering the adverse impacts of climate change,” Global Climate Change Ambassador, Archbishop Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba said.

The commitments by several countries to reduce emissions, with some clearly setting the peak years, is critical. It is important to get such commitments, and we want our negotiators to ensure that they come up with an agreement that will help the world decarbonize by the middle of the century. We need to embrace a goal and work towards achieveing it,” said Mattias Soderberg, ACT Alliance Co-Chair of the Advisory Group on Climate Advocacy.

”It is important that all countries take part in climate action,” stated Mattias Söderberg, who is also head of the ACT Alliance delegation attending the talks. “The world is no longer developed and developing. Paris is an opportunity for all to take part in climate action, and those who have capacity to support others, should be encouraged to do so.”

”By no means should any country be left behind,” reiterated Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, stressing that all countries have a role to play from today if the fight against the adverse impacts of climate change is to be won, in accordance with their capabilities and responsibility.

ENDS

_____________________________

Contact details for Thomas Hirsch on +4917171 5217719 email: t.hirsch@climate-development-advice.de

PRESS RELEASE

A total of 1,780,528 million people worldwide have put their names to a collection of faith-based petitions urging political leaders at the COP21 climate summit to take decisive action to curb global warming and deliver a strong, fair deal that helps poor countries adapt to their changing climate.

The petitions were presented to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres on November 28 at the ‘Faith in Climate Justice’ (‘Les Religions Pour le Climat’) event at Salle de la Légion d’Honneur in Saint-Denis.

The hand-in was witnessed by close to 400 people, including faith leaders, COP21 delegates and climate campaigners from around the world – including individuals from countries such as Germany, the UK, Philippines, Italy and Scandinavia who have walked hundreds of kilometres in a ‘pilgrimage to Paris’.

Several key individuals spoke at the event: from the Philippines, former COP negotiator Yeb Sano; from Brazil, Cardinal Claudio Hummes; from South Africa, Archbishop of Cape Town the Rt Rev Thabo Makgoba; from the US, the Rev Kyoichi Sugino of Religions for Peace International; from Kenya, Mithika Mwenda, Coordinator of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance; and from Bangladesh, Lotifa Begum of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

‘Faith in Climate Justice’ was organized by four international faith-based networks working together for a common cause: ACT Now for Climate Justice (part of ACT Alliance), OurVoices, Religions for Peace and the Global Catholic Climate Movement.

OneVoices climate ambassador Yeb Sano, who has walked 1,500km from Rome to Paris as leader of the People’s Pilgrimage, said: “The pilgrimages represent, in a political way, that the time for talking is long over. Irrespective of what our leaders produce from Paris, across the globe we are working as communities and cities, as faith groups and organisations, and as pilgrims, walking together out of love, faith and hope that we can build a better future together.”

Archbishop Thabo, global climate ambassador for ACT Alliance, said: “People of faith urge all parties to constructively engage and agree on a Paris deal applicable to all. Climate justice is a spiritual and moral issue. To call it ambitious, it must include the long-term goal of climate resilient decarbonisation by mid-century and a periodic review and ratchet up mechanism to increase ambition dynamically. To call it fair, it must provide robust transparency rules, a firm commitment to deliver the $100bn climate finance to the poor, and the anchoring of the Warsaw International Mechanism on loss and damage in the Paris agreement.”

On behalf of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and former Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, said: “2015 has been a very special year for the Catholic Church and its response to the climate crisis, crystallized in the Pope’s Laudato Si’ encyclical, the Bishops’ ‘Appeal to COP21’, and the grassroots mobilization of the Global Catholic Climate Movement this weekend, which brought hundreds of thousands of petition signatures to Paris and will join the Global Climate March in all continents. I pray for political leaders to ‘hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ and respond to the climate justice demand from all faiths.”

Secretary General for Religions for Peace International, Dr William F Vendley, said: “Meeting the challenge of climate change will help transform us into who we are called to be:  one human family living in community with the earth and the Divine.”

The 1,780,528 people who signed the petitions include individuals in both the global north and the global south. They were mobilized by, among others: the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (in partnership with Oxfam Africa), the Church of England, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and Interfaith Power and Light – together with the four organizing networks previously mentioned.

As well as live music and visual presentations, the audience at the ‘Faith in Climate Justice’ event heard speeches from the Bishop of Saint Denis, Pascal Delannoy; the President of French Conference of Faiths in France, François Clavairoly; and the President of Plaine Commune, Patrick Braouzec.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For more information contact Mattias Söderberg, Head of the ACT Alliance delegation attending the Paris negotiations, on +45 29700609 or via Twitter at Mattias_S

2. About the organisations behind the petition:

Act Now for Climate Justice is a campaign led by ACT Alliance, a coalition of 137 churches and affiliated organisations working together in over 100 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people.

The Global Catholic Climate Movement is a community of thousands of Catholics responding to the Pope’s call to action in the Papal encyclical. It represents lay people, priests, religious, bishops and a global network of partners working together on the climate change crisis.

OurVoices is run under the auspices of The Conservation Foundation in the UK and GreenFaith in the USA. It has a vision to ensure world leaders act on the voices of millions who believe in protecting vulnerable people and our planet from the harmful effects of man-made climate change.

As the world’s largest multi-religious coalition, Religions for Peace was founded in 1970 and has a vision of a world in which religious communities cooperate effectively for peace, by taking concrete common action.

PRESS RELEASE

A total of 1,780,528 million people worldwide have put their names to a collection of faith-based petitions urging political leaders at the COP21 climate summit to take decisive action to curb global warming and deliver a strong, fair deal that helps poor countries adapt to their changing climate.

The petitions were presented to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres on November 28 at the ‘Faith in Climate Justice’ (‘Les Religions Pour le Climat’) event at Salle de la Légion d’Honneur in Saint-Denis.

The hand-in was witnessed by close to 400 people, including faith leaders, COP21 delegates and climate campaigners from around the world – including individuals from countries such as Germany, the UK, Philippines, Italy and Scandinavia who have walked hundreds of kilometres in a ‘pilgrimage to Paris’.

Several key individuals spoke at the event: from the Philippines, former COP negotiator Yeb Sano; from Brazil, Cardinal Claudio Hummes; from South Africa, Archbishop of Cape Town the Rt Rev Thabo Makgoba; from the US, the Rev Kyoichi Sugino of Religions for Peace International; from Kenya, Mithika Mwenda, Coordinator of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance; and from Bangladesh, Lotifa Begum of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

‘Faith in Climate Justice’ was organized by four international faith-based networks working together for a common cause: ACT Now for Climate Justice (part of ACT Alliance), OurVoices, Religions for Peace and the Global Catholic Climate Movement.

OneVoices climate ambassador Yeb Sano, who has walked 1,500km from Rome to Paris as leader of the People’s Pilgrimage, said: “The pilgrimages represent, in a political way, that the time for talking is long over. Irrespective of what our leaders produce from Paris, across the globe we are working as communities and cities, as faith groups and organisations, and as pilgrims, walking together out of love, faith and hope that we can build a better future together.”

Archbishop Thabo, global climate ambassador for ACT Alliance, said: “People of faith urge all parties to constructively engage and agree on a Paris deal applicable to all. Climate justice is a spiritual and moral issue. To call it ambitious, it must include the long-term goal of climate resilient decarbonisation by mid-century and a periodic review and ratchet up mechanism to increase ambition dynamically. To call it fair, it must provide robust transparency rules, a firm commitment to deliver the $100bn climate finance to the poor, and the anchoring of the Warsaw International Mechanism on loss and damage in the Paris agreement.”

On behalf of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and former Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, said: “2015 has been a very special year for the Catholic Church and its response to the climate crisis, crystallized in the Pope’s Laudato Si’ encyclical, the Bishops’ ‘Appeal to COP21’, and the grassroots mobilization of the Global Catholic Climate Movement this weekend, which brought hundreds of thousands of petition signatures to Paris and will join the Global Climate March in all continents. I pray for political leaders to ‘hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ and respond to the climate justice demand from all faiths.”

Secretary General for Religions for Peace International, Dr William F Vendley, said: “Meeting the challenge of climate change will help transform us into who we are called to be:  one human family living in community with the earth and the Divine.”

The 1,780,528 people who signed the petitions include individuals in both the global north and the global south. They were mobilized by, among others: the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (in partnership with Oxfam Africa), the Church of England, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and Interfaith Power and Light – together with the four organizing networks previously mentioned.

As well as live music and visual presentations, the audience at the ‘Faith in Climate Justice’ event heard speeches from the Bishop of Saint Denis, Pascal Delannoy; the President of French Conference of Faiths in France, François Clavairoly; and the President of Plaine Commune, Patrick Braouzec.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For more information contact Mattias Söderberg, Head of the ACT Alliance delegation attending the Paris negotiations, on +45 29700609 or via Twitter at Mattias_S

2. About the organisations behind the petition:

Act Now for Climate Justice is a campaign led by ACT Alliance, a coalition of 137 churches and affiliated organisations working together in over 100 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people.

The Global Catholic Climate Movement is a community of thousands of Catholics responding to the Pope’s call to action in the Papal encyclical. It represents lay people, priests, religious, bishops and a global network of partners working together on the climate change crisis.

OurVoices is run under the auspices of The Conservation Foundation in the UK and GreenFaith in the USA. It has a vision to ensure world leaders act on the voices of millions who believe in protecting vulnerable people and our planet from the harmful effects of man-made climate change.

As the world’s largest multi-religious coalition, Religions for Peace was founded in 1970 and has a vision of a world in which religious communities cooperate effectively for peace, by taking concrete common action.