New York: In a compelling address at the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, called for urgent global action to rectify the “ecological debt” owed to developing countries, protect biodiversity, and expand education for integral ecology. Speaking during the Second Committee Debate on “Item 18: Sustainable Development,” Archbishop Caccia highlighted the moral and ethical responsibilities of nations in ensuring environmental justice and sustainable development.
“The Holy See is a staunch promoter of integral human development, with a vision that encompasses the full development of every person,” Archbishop Caccia stated. He emphasized that the overlapping crises of poverty, climate change, and conflict make a renewed commitment to integral human development more crucial than ever.
The Archbishop also recalled the upcoming tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, describing it as prophetic in highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the planet. He further referenced Pope Leo XIV’s concern for climate change and environmental degradation, noting the disproportionate burden borne by the poor and indigenous communities.
Archbishop Caccia warned against subordinating human dignity and environmental integrity to short-term interests, noting that treating “nature as a bargaining chip” distorts the true meaning of sustainable development. To address this, he outlined a three-pronged approach for global action.
The Archbishop urged that the ecological debt owed to developing nations must be rectified. He defined this debt as the consequence of commercial imbalances and the disproportionate exploitation of natural resources by certain countries over extended periods. “Nations and sectors that have disproportionately contributed to environmental degradation and climate change bear the responsibility to support those most affected by its consequences,” he said.
Measures to address this debt, he explained, should include reducing reliance on non-renewable energy, providing financial support, offering debt relief in times of crisis, sharing sustainable technologies, and building local capacities. Such initiatives, he stressed, would not only repay the ecological debt but also assist developing nations in achieving sustainable development.
Archbishop Caccia also emphasized the urgent need to safeguard biodiversity. Describing the protection of forests, oceans, and ecosystems as a “moral duty of stewardship,” he stressed that preserving nature is critical not only for its intrinsic value but also for the survival of communities that depend on these resources. He cautioned that species loss, habitat destruction, and pollution carry profound human consequences, underlining that environmental and human well-being are inseparably linked.
Finally, the Permanent Observer highlighted education as a key tool for cultivating integral ecology. He argued that policy alone cannot achieve lasting change; a transformation of hearts and minds is essential. Education should inspire ethical responsibility, foster solidarity, and equip young people to build a sustainable culture.
Archbishop Caccia stressed that initiatives must extend beyond technical knowledge to include ethical formation, nurturing a sense of shared responsibility for the environment. “By promoting ecological education, we can nurture a new way of living, one that respects both the dignity of the human person and the integrity of creation,” he concluded.
Through this address, the Holy See reaffirmed its commitment to global environmental justice, calling on nations to act decisively to support vulnerable countries, preserve the planet, and foster a culture of sustainability grounded in ethical and moral responsibility.