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, Press

NEWS

COMECE President in Washington DC to promote “Integral Ecology”

Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., President of COMECE participated in an international conference on “Integral Ecology” organised at the Georgetown University (USA) in preparation of the Pan-Amazon Synod scheduled on 6-27 October 2019. Mgr. Hollerich called for ensuring accountability of the private sector with regard to legal, social and environmental standards. Promoting the messages carried out by Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, Church leaders from … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Church worldwide calls for ambitious and urgent climate action

In the context of a recent UN report on the urgent need to develop policies that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, together with all the other presidents of continental Bishops’ Conferences, calls politicians to work towards an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement. They ask for COP24 to prove a milestone in the path set out in … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Climate Change: the Church and its way to COP-24

On 12 December 2015, at the end of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-21) that was held in Paris, 197 Parties adopted the «Paris Agreement» (PA). Entered into force on 4 November 2016, the agreement is now signed by 170 parties. Its main goal is to keep the rise of the average … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

First Laudato Si’ Reflection Day

The first Laudato Si’ Reflection Day took place in Brussels on 6 June with more than 70 representatives of the European Bishops’ Conferences, Catholic organisations and movements. Together they expressed their support for a sustainable financial system in Europe and the Church. Participants discussed the latest EU initiatives on the matter and shared best practises and ideas in order to strengthen the crucial role the … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Agriculture between technological innovation and global responsibility

In the context of the 11th Forum for future development of Rural Areas, COMECE organised in Berlin a high-level panel of experts to find out how the Catholic Church can support and accompany farmers in times of fundamental changes of their work and their living conditions. Farmers and rural areas are under pressure due to high expectations. They are called to produce safe and high … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Tackling AMR, the Antimicrobial Resistance

Every year approximately 25,000 people in the EU and about 700,000 in the rest of the world die because of resistance against «antibiotics». What is this phenomenon? How is it possible? What is the EU doing to protect its citizens? What is the contribution of COMECE to counter it? The resistance against antibiotics, or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), is a worldwide growing phenomenon due to an … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Cardinal Marx on US President’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement

“Although this decision comes as no surprise, it is a major challenge for climate protection at international level. It erodes the global trust achieved with the agreement of the Paris climate conference. Until the end, we had hoped that the discussions at the G7 and the meeting with Pope Francis would have positively influenced his decision. The Encyclical Laudato Si, offered by Pope Francis to … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE welcomes EP resolution on Food Waste

Statement of Fr. Olivier Poquillon OP, secretary general of COMECE, on today’s adoption of a resolution by the European Parliament on «Resource efficiency: reducing food waste, improving food safety». In recent years Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken out against the scandal of food waste. He criticized a throwaway culture that “made us insensitive to wasting and throwing out excess foodstuffs, which is especially condemnable when … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Paris Agreement on Climate Change: the practical implementation begins

COMECE welcomes the ratification by the European Union of the climate agreement signed last year in Paris. Following the deposit of the instruments of ratification to the United Nations on Friday in New York, the climate agreement can now enter into force. This raises hopes that the international community will be able to act quickly and responsibly in the fight against climate change. Now that … Continue reading »