The Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change was delivered to the President of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Mogens Lykketoft, on 18 April at the Church Centre of the United Nations. It was drawn up with the help of movements and foundations inspired by various religious traditions. Included among its signatories are many Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, together with representatives of many congregations and Catholic institutes.

In the text of the Declaration religious and world spiritual leaders judge positively the Paris Agreement on the climate - which is being signed today, 22 April - and the other resolutions adopted at the COP21 and urge their expeditious ratification by governments. In particular, the Declaration highlights some key points such as:

• increase the commitment to reducing emissions in line with the objective to raise the temperature not more than 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels;
• reduce emissions by 2020 to remain within the limit of 1.5 ° C;
• provide an increased cash flow for losses and damages related to climate change;
• the early decommissioning of subsidies to fossil fuels and a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050;
• encourage faith communities to reduce their emissions and to show solidarity with the communities in which the effect of climate change is greater;
• provide for disinvestment in fossil fuels and reinvesting in renewable solutions and reduced carbon emissions, also by faith communities, and trying to involve the world of production in this process.

In the light of this Declaration the Rector Major of the Salesians and the first animator of the whole Salesian Family becomes a participant and promoter of this interreligious and intercultural movement that aims at the protection of Creation for the benefit of future generations, and also invites other representatives and members of the Salesian family to sign the declaration

For years the Congregation has been pursuing initiatives that care for creation, such as the "Eco-club" in India or activities for recycling in Latin America. In this sense the Rector Major’s adherence to the Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change also serves to encourage such initiatives and to propose them as an example to the whole Salesian Family, that it may continue to pursue righteous  activities that respect the environment and to educate young people in responsibility towards our common home.

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