Category Archives: Ecology & Sustainability


In the Treaties the European Union professes the principles of sustainability, the protection of the environment and the fight against the causes and effects of climate change. Regularly these ambitions are in conflict with other aims of the EU like economic growth, agriculture and industrial policy.
Since 2008 COMECE has been engaged with the topic of climate change and regularly stressed the necessity of an ecological conversion and a different and more sober style of life. In his encyclical «Laudato si» Pope Francis has flagged up this idea with his concept of an «integrate ecology» that underscores the link between the protection of the environment and climate, the fight against poverty, social justice, economy and politics.
Ecology & Sustainability, Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE contributes to the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the design phase of the European Commission’s initiative New European Bauhaus, highlighting the valuable convergence of the Encyclical letter Laudato Si’ and the work of Churches with the objectives of the initiative. Building on the webinar “Spirituality, Sustainability and Style”, jointly organized by COMECE and the Pontifical Council for Culture in April … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

ELSiA invites you to join webinar on LIFE programme

Following up from the Laudato Si’ Reflection Day 2021, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) is organizing an ad hoc webinar to discover more about the LIFE programme, the EU flagship funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The event will take place online Wednesday July 7th 2021, at 14:30 (CEST). Through the webinar you will be able to discover the LIFE programme, which … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Laudato Si’ drives radical change and the path to a just future

On 27 May, more than 100 people from all corners of the world attended the fourth Laudato Si’ Reflection Day, this year held online. Speakers offered inspiring reflections followed by exchanges with the audience on long-term thinking, the role of the Church and local communities, building on the long-lasting impacts of the encyclical Laudato Si’. Participants were welcomed by H.E. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., the … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

2021 European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day. Registration now open!

On the 6th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) invites you to join to the 2021 European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day, to be held on Thursday 27 May 2021 from 9:30 to 16:30 (CEST). The event will be an occasion to discuss the importance of long-term thinking, even in short-term sectors such … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Webinar “Spirituality, Sustainability and Style”

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Pontifical Council for Culture are pleased to invite you to join a webinar on the New European Bauhaus initiative of the European Commission. The event will take place in a digital format on Thursday 15 April 2021, from 17:00 to 19:10 (CEST). The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Webinar – “Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit”

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and in view of the upcoming Climate Ambition Summit 2020, the Vatican Covid-19 Commission and its partners, including the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), invite you to participate in the webinar “Faith, Science and Youth: A call for an ambitious climate summit”, to be held on Wednesday 9 December … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE commits to divest from fossil fuels

In the context of the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), together with other faith-based institutions, commits to divest from fossil fuels, following the Vatican’s guidelines on ethical investment. COMECE: “We encourage others to join us and support the European Green Deal as a way of implementing the Paris climate agreement”. … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls for a people-centred, sustainable and multilateral EU Arctic policy

COMECE contributed to the EU public consultation  on the future EU Arctic policy, highlighting the EU’s responsibility to ensure a sustainable and peaceful  Arctic  that puts its  people at the cemtre. The contribution was jointly elaborated with Justice & Peace Europe in dialogue with regional Church actors. In the context of the current developments impacting the Artic region, the European Union is reviewing its 2016 policy … Continue reading »