As the world approaches the next Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, disputes and war surrounds the region of the conference, called COP29. Bishop Philip Huggins of Melbourne is a member of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC (the body that holds the climate conferences). Here, Bishop Huggins offers a reflection on trust – particularly the international dimension of trust – as we continue our service and advocacy in ways that give hope and build trust.
As we know, having trust in others gives us peace. We feel safer when those around us are genuinely trustworthy.
When trust is damaged and is at a low ebb, there have to be careful, intentional steps that bring healing. The scars from words and actions which break trust can last a very long time, even after there may have been a heartfelt apology.
Life becomes very sad when those who can repair trust only act to make things worse.
The healing and renewal of trust takes what time it takes. There are many variables, including what has happened to people’s trust previously.
Whatever the history, it must be respected for what it tells us about the condition of relationships.
This is true whether we are considering individuals or whether we are considering sectors or whole nations.
My friend and life-long educator John Hendry is working with a team to try and ensure school children learn how to make and, if necessary, repair damaged relationships.
If trust is strong and all those in the school community feel safe, learning flourishes and everyone is happier!
As regards relationships between nations, for example, the ‘Two State Solution for Israel and Palestine’ would be wonderful as compared to what we now see. But it assumes a time when they all feel safe living alongside each other. Careful, prayerful diplomatic leadership will be needed for this ‘solution’ to ever feel trustworthy.
Trust and Climate Change Conferences
Relatedly, the need for trust building is vivid when we consider the crucial issue of ‘Climate Change.’
I am continuing my participation in the UN COP process to implement the Paris Agreement and prevent catastrophic climate change.
COP29 convenes in less than a month in Baku, Azerbaijan, which borders Iran. As we currently plan our participation from November 11, the media tell us to soon expect an Israeli retaliation for Iran’s missiles. And we hear Iran’s leaders promising that they will retaliate in turn when this happens.
This dismal cycle of revenge will obviously cause more suffering and it will make it so much harder for nearby negotiators at COP to focus on what needs to be completed … If, that is, the COP can, in fact, still be held as planned in such a troubled area.
The crucial tasks for COP29 are summarised in the Statement prepared by the group to which I belong – the Interfaith Liaison Committee of the UNFCCC – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
These tasks are big and demanding. From the perspective of international faith communities the COP process is much slower than what is needed. This is because the agreements have to be negotiated in a way that everyone can agree to and trust.
This was already problematic but becomes more difficult as international trust deteriorates further.
Now we have the juxtaposition of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report with the Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan where, to the near north is the Russian invasion of Ukraine and to the south the spreading war, since October 7 last year!
Preventing further and even more catastrophic climate change is obviously a huge task. It needs a clear space in which the international community can work at COP. It needs safety, trust and cooperation.
What to do? There are no shortcuts.
Meanwhile, here in Australia ,when we could be a united voice in a relatively safe place offering the quality of necessary, detailed and inspirational international leadership ,we have instead the tedious spectacle we observe.
Why offer generational and international leadership in cooperation for a renewable future when, for some possible short term political advantage, you can create confusion in the minds of people at a time of much anxiety?
We persist…
We offer our Prayers and Meditations for an atmosphere more conducive to peacemaking and for success at COP29.
And we continue our service and advocacy in ways that give hope and build trust.
To conclude very personally, last Sunday I was blessed to baptise a baby with the middle name ‘Gottlieb’ meaning ‘God’s love’.
It was so beautiful to hold that little one. She is so loved and her look is so trusting.
Such a moment focuses one on why we must persist in our trust building and Climate Action, at every level.
BISHOP PHILIP HUGGINS
16 OCTOBER 2024
Bishop Philip Huggins is a bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. He is a Patron of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, and member of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Bishop Huggins is a member of the National Executive of Religions for Peace Australia.
