Bishops and leaders of church institutions and associations in Germany have called on politicians in federal and state governments to create reliable framework conditions and long-term timetables on the path to climate neutrality. In the appeal "Climate protection: We are ready", the representatives from the Catholic Church write: "We are at a crossroads. Do we continue to violate planetary boundaries, continue to use fossil energies, continue to try to solve factual disputes with populism and distraction? Or do we put the truth of problem causes, the implementation of solutions at the center of our arguments?"

A series of concrete demands

The concrete demands of the signees include the prompt introduction of a binding energy efficiency and heat turnaround, accelerated modernisation of the building stock and adequate subsidy programmes for residential and non-residential buildings. At the same time, the mobility transition must be intensified. A speed limit is inexpensive, can be introduced immediately and has an important signalling effect. Subsidies should be directed towards rail, walking and cycling instead of continuing to promote cars and roads. The agricultural and food transition must also be accelerated. The entire transformation towards climate neutrality must also focus on social justice.

The signatories of the appeal include Archbishop Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki of Cologne, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, Dr Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), Gregor Podschun, Federal President of the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), as well as numerous board members and directors of German Caritas associations. For the Central European Province of the Jesuits, Provincial Father Bernhard Bürgler SJ signed together with 13 other religious superiors.

Jesuit initiators

"We are ready to implement climate protection in concrete ways, to tackle the necessary changes and to work together," explains Jesuit Jörg Alt SJ, who initiated the appeal together with Jesuit Klaus Väthröder SJ. "If we manage to finally discuss the right issues in society and politics in connection with climate protection and action is taken, I won't have to block any more streets," says Fr. Alt, referring to his participation in protests for more climate protection. "Politicians must finally loosen the climate protection brakes and support us on the way to climate neutrality."

The Jesuits in Central Europe have made commitment to the Creation and to social and ecological justice one of their thematic priorities. Last year, the Order founded the Ukama Centre for Social-Ecological Transformation in Nuremberg. For the Order, the climate issue is also a question of global justice. For those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are affected first and most severely. Many people in the Global South have already been feeling the effects of global warming for decades. "The role of the Church is to support the poor and excluded of the world, as well as to work for the protection of livelihoods and the common good. Here we Jesuits in the rich Global North have a duty, Jesuits from the Global South also tell us so," says Fr. Bernhard Bürgler SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits in Central Europe.

The appeal and all signatories can be found at: www.wirsindbereit.net

Jesuits ECE