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.

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

NEWS

COMECE on the Paris Climate Agreement

Ahead of the expected vote in the European Parliament in October, the Secretariat of COMECE welcomes the ratification by China and the United States of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The ratification by these two states, given their economic weight and their environmental impact, represents a significant step in the right direction. In an appeal addressed to the COP 21 negotiating parties in October … Continue reading »

News

COP21: Translate the Paris agreement into concrete action with solidarity at its core

The General Secretary of COMECE, Patrick H. Daly, welcomes the responsibility and the sense of compromise which enabled 195 countries to reach an agreement which paves the way toward protection of our common home. “ The adoption of the framework convention of the UN on climate change (CCNUCC) by 195 countries in Paris on 12 December represents a great forward step for humanity as a … Continue reading »

Press Release

“The time for conversion is now…”, say COMECE Bishops in view of COP 21

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), COMECE presents to the negotiators, to concerned EU citizens and to all who care about the future of our planet a comprehensive report on the climate issue. The UN Conference on Climate (COP 21) opens in Paris on Sunday 29 November 2015. Aware that the EU is a major player and that Europe is key … Continue reading »

News

The Church in the run-up to COP 21 Christians and Climate Change: we can do more than we realise

The negotiations of the UN Climate Summit COP 21, which takes place in Paris towards the end of the year, presents a great challenge to our planet and to the whole of humanity. Inspired by the appeal launched by Pope Francis, the COMECE bishops held their autumn plenary assembly in Paris as a sign of their great engagement with the climate change issue. “All Christians … Continue reading »