Politics

Leaders from nearly 200 nations are meeting for the Dec. 7-19 U.N. Biodiversity Conference known as COP15. With scientists warning that the loss of nature is accelerating at dangerous speeds, Catholic activists are urging nations at the biodiversity conference in Montreal to act to protect life on earth at all levels.

As representatives from nearly 200 countries gather for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, environmental activists living in the Amazon region hope the conference's proposals will generate new projects in favor of the forest and the populations that live in the region.

Meeting with Elizabeth Mrema, executive secretary of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, the Faiths at COP15 coalition pledged to mobilize their communities to implement whatever biodiversity agreement is achieved.

An event Dec. 8, titled Faith Voices Raising Ambition for a Strong Global Biodiversity Framework, marked the first time that faith-based organizations held an official side event at a U.N. biodiversity conference. Faith groups hope to raise their moral voices and contribute to implementation strategies at COP15 in Montreal.

A provision in the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law this summer by President Joe Biden, increases the size of the tax credit for conversions to renewable energy and makes nonprofit entities, like parishes, eligible to receive the tax benefits themselves.

Nations are gathering in Canada for COP15, the U.N. biodiversity summit. Representatives of the world's religions will be there, where they hope to raise moral principles and policy priorities on preserving creation.

Archbishop Roberto González Nieves has lent support to Queremos Sol, a coalition that advocates for renewable energy in Puerto Rico, focusing on rooftop solar. González has urged churches and schools to switch to solar.

Catholic groups welcomed the historic deal reached at the United Nations climate summit to establish a "loss and damage" fund for vulnerable countries, even while negotiations fell short in other areas, they said.