UNGA 77 – Second Committee
Agenda item 18 (d): Sustainable development – Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind

Mr. Chair,

Climate change is a global problem with grave implications for all. It is crucial to make all efforts to address its causes and minimize its impact. “Masking the problems or concealing the symptoms”[1] of climate change can only have a detrimental impact both on our present and our future. As the world is facing the twin challenges of “lessening climate risks by reducing emissions and assisting and enabling people to adapt to progressively worsening changes to the climate. These challenges call us to think of a multi-dimensional approach to protecting both individuals and our planet.”[2] It is now crucial to turn our political commitments into actions and develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. 

First, it is crucial to scale up efforts to address the root causes of climate change. While phasing down unabated coal power generation is an important first step in this direction, States must redouble their efforts to ensure a complete phasing out in the long-term. The transition to sustainable sources of energy requires developed States to take into consideration the circumstances and needs of developing countries, including for capacity-building and financial assistance. 

Second, it is vital to build the resilience of natural and human environments to resist and adapt to the negative impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events. In this regard, it is encouraging that, around the world, almost 80 percent of countries have addressed adaptation through specific plans, strategies and laws. Too often, however, adaptation initiatives remain fragmented, sector-specific and designed to react to present impacts or near-term risks instead of accounting for long-term consequences. Adaptation has proved to be more effective when it is established as part of long-term national strategies and takes into account national and local peculiarities. Likewise, climate change adaptation plans work better when they include an assessment of the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters, caused by natural or manmade hazards. Establishing a coherent framework of adaptation measures that focus on a broad range of risks and include local specificities is challenging but essential.

Adaptation and mitigation measures are two essential and inseparable prerequisites to achieve climate-resilient sustainable development.[3] It is in fact crucial to both tackle the root causes of climate change and to adjust to its effects while taking into consideration the different capabilities of countries to respond.

Mister Chair,

Climate change is a global challenge and requires concerted and steadfast actions from all of us. To this end, after pledging to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050, and in an effort to work in solidarity with all States “to respond effectively to challenges posed by climate change.”[4], the Holy See, acting in the name and on behalf of the Vatican City State, has recently deposited the instruments of accession both to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. On October 4, those instruments entered into force.

Thank you, Mister Chair.

[1] Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 26.

[2] Pope Francis, Message to the participants in the conference on “Resilience of people and ecosystems under climate stress,” Casina Pio IV, 13-14 July 2022.

[3] Cfr. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Chapter 18, 18.1-18.3, WGII, AR6.

[4] Declaration made upon accession to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, New York, 8 July 2022.