African Catholic leaders have issued a strong call for urgent climate action at the Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, urging fair financing and renewable energy solutions that prioritize the continent’s resilience and dignity.
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) declared the climate crisis both a moral and ecological emergency.
Africa, though least responsible for global emissions, suffers most from droughts, floods, and desertification. Church leaders insisted that Africa must design its own ecological future, grounded in indigenous wisdom and sustainable practices.
Africa-Led Climate Solutions
SECAM emphasized that African nations must shape their own climate agenda. Rural communities, often overlooked, hold invaluable ecological knowledge and must guide pathways to resilience and sustainable growth. The Church warned against external agendas that ignore local realities.
Renewable Energy and Technology
Leaders highlighted the need to abandon fossil fuels and invest in solar, wind, and regenerative agriculture.
They cautioned against “false solutions” such as harmful offsets or extractive industries. Instead, true progress demands bold lifestyle changes and community-driven renewable systems.
Opportunities for Jobs and Inclusion
Investment in decentralized solar projects, SECAM argued, can create decent employment, empower women and youth, and reduce Africa’s severe energy poverty. These systems also cut carbon emissions and expand access to affordable power.
- Empowering local communities through renewable energy ownership
- Reducing inequality by prioritizing marginalized groups
Climate Finance and Justice
The Church demanded transparent and accessible financing mechanisms. Wealthy nations, they said, must repay their ecological debt through grants, not loans. Loss and Damage funds must be swiftly operationalized to directly reach vulnerable communities rather than entrench dependency.
Financing Commitments for Africa
| Focus Area | Commitment Needed |
|---|---|
| Loss and Damage | Immediate operationalization of funds for vulnerable nations |
| Adaptation | Support for food security, water, and livelihoods |
| Renewable Energy | Scaling decentralized, solar-based systems across regions |
Adaptation and Resilience
Food security, water systems, and livelihoods were identified as urgent priorities. SECAM pledged that faith communities stand ready to support education, mobilization, and on-the-ground assistance for those impacted by climate change.
Spiritual and Moral Foundations
For the Catholic Church in Africa, climate action is a moral imperative. The bishops urged global solidarity, stressing that the earth itself is among the “most abandoned” and calling for courage to move beyond empty promises toward genuine transformation.
SECAM committed to:
Advocating at COP30 for a just phase-out of fossil fuels.
Promoting ecological education in parishes and schools.
Creating an Ecclesial Observatory on Climate Justice to monitor progress.
To Sum Up
African leaders and communities are positioned to drive the world’s moral conscience on climate change. The statement concluded that solidarity, justice, and creation care are the cornerstones of a green and resilient Africa.
Sources: SECAM, Laudato Si’ Africa Conference 2025, Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum 2023, SECAM COP29 2024, SECAM COP28 2023, and Vatican Press Conference 2025.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
