Jesuit Missions will once again be engaging with the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) climate talks, which are this year being held in Turkey from 9-20 November.
The conference brings together global leaders to negotiate on action against climate change, a phenomenon which seriously affects many of the countries where there are projects supported by Jesuit Missions.
For example, Madagascar has seen an increase in extreme weather patterns in recent years, which impacts people’s homes and livelihoods.
The Centre Arrupe Madagascar, a Jesuit Missions’ partner, is addressing this by running regular training sessions for young people aimed at encouraging sustainable living, and it has lobbied politicians calling for them to take firmer action on non-eco-friendly practices.
Representatives from the organisation attended the two previous COPs – in Azerbaijan in 2024 and Brazil in 2025 – where they had the opportunity to raise their, and their nation’s, concerns on the world stage.
Several members of the Jesuit Missions’ team will be following this year’s talks virtually, and it will also make use of resources provided by the Jesuits for Climate Justice campaign, which is coordinated by the Society’s Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES).
The SJES initiative focuses on three priorities: securing a just transition away from fossil fuels, more financial support for countries struggling to deal with the impact of climate change, and the establishment of sustainable food systems.
It will provide regular updates from on the ground in Turkey and has produced a series of materials to help others engage with the conference, including a daily prayer guide.
A SJES statement on the summit reads: “The urgency of the climate crisis cannot be overstated. We are facing increasingly severe impacts, especially affecting low- and middle-income communities in both developing and developed countries.
“At COP31 […] we, Jesuits and partners, are called to promote and defend socio-environmental justice for the benefit of all Creation, especially for the most vulnerable communities and nations.”
As part of its own efforts on raising awareness of the effect climate change has on its partners around the world, Jesuit Missions held a Mini COP conference for Jesuit schools at Stonyhurst College earlier this week.
Here pupils came together, representing countries where Jesuit Missions supports environment-themed projects, to negotiate solutions on how the world can address key climate issues.
A second Mini COP will be held on Friday 13 November at the London Jesuit Centre, with students from Jesuit schools in the capital taking part.
