Climate and social emergency: a time for strong decisions and real alternatives
At the dawn of COP 30, as the planet breaches critical temperature thresholds and social inequalities deepen, Emmaus International strongly reiterates that the climate crisis is not inevitable, but rather the outcome of political and economic decisions, which sacrifice people’s rights and the health our planet for financial gain.
We must take action urgently: let us make effective decisions that meet the challenges we face
COP 30 is taking place against an alarming backdrop: the current commitments by States in response to the climate crisis do not go nearly far enough, and current projections suggest that we are likely to see a temperature rise of at least +2.5°C by 2100. For many years, the most vulnerable population groups – Indigenous peoples, women, communities in the Global South – have been suffering the harshest consequences of climate change and austerity policies. In Belém, we can no longer settle for empty promises!
Emmaus International is calling for States and international institutions to finally place public interest and justice at the heart of their policies, breaking away from the commodification of nature and fundamental human rights.
Emmaus International: a Movement committed to the environment and climate
Emmaus International, present in over 40 countries with 425 member organisations, works on a daily basis with the most excluded to develop alternatives to poverty and environmental destruction. Our legitimacy is based on:
- Grassroots experience: Emmaus groups create truly ethical and solidarity-based circular economy models, citizen-led management of common goods (water, housing, healthcare), and tackle gender inequalities, proving that a just transition is possible in everyday life;
- The voice of the invisible: we promote the demands of people in vulnerable situations, migrants, women and Indigenous peoples, directly affected by social and climate crises;
- A global approach: we refuse to separate social justice from environmental justice. The green transition will only be sustainable if it is social, feminist and solidarity-based.
In Belém, Emmaus International will be on the ground to reiterate that solutions already exist in our groups’ practices, including mutual health organisations, agroecology, social and solidarity economy, community-led water management, and combatting violence against women.
Global Call to Action: 15 November and beyond
Emmaus International fully supports the call to action on 15 November 2025 organised by the People’s Summit. This Summit must be a space where struggles converge, where the outlines of a possible, alternative world take shape, based on solidarity, the sovereignty of peoples, and respect for all living beings.
We urge all Emmaus groups to take part in this global day of action as part of our struggle for social and environmental justice and to show their support for Emmaus’ international delegation which will promote the voice of our Movement at these meetings.
We also call on our member organisations to get involved in the various fora for debate and action on these issues set up by Emmaus International, including our 2026 World Assembly in the Netherlands.
Now is the time for joint action for a just and solidarity-based transition
Emmaus International reaffirms that climate justice can be achieved through:
- Inclusion and effective participation of those affected by climate change in debates and decision-making bodies;
- Transformation from the existing economic system, recognition of the social and solidarity economy as a pillar of transition, and a fairer distribution of wealth and resources;
- Energy and food sovereignty, by defending peasant farming, agroecology and farming practices that respect peasants’ rights;
- Responsibility and accountability by the most polluting economic actors and States that are complicit in environmental destruction and human rights violations.
We call for:
- States to act immediately for a just, well-funded and democratic transition;
- Social movements to unite to influence negotiations and assert our alternatives;
- All citizens to join the day of action on 15 November and make a long-term commitment to a just and inclusive climate transition.
Together, let’s make COP 30 and the Peoples’ Summit a turning point in history for the rights of people and the planet.
Emmaus International Board – November 2025