Testimony

In an era of increasingly frequent climate change-related impacts, theJESC Carbon Initiative (JCI) has emerged within the Jesuit world as a proactive response to the urgent need to embrace the ecological transition institutionally. As the project manager of this initiative, I find immense hope in our mission to support faith-based organisations on their journey toward ecological sustainability.

Launched in 2022 in partnership with the French-speaking Western European [Jesuit] Province (EOF), JCI began as an experiment with a straightforward yet ambitious goal: could we analyse the lifestyles of Jesuits in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg to estimate the province’s annual carbon footprint and thereby guide informed, impactful action? We committed to this task wholeheartedly, visiting 25 Jesuit communities and gathering detailed data on energy and water usage, transport, diet, and expenditures. We also engaged with 270 individual Jesuits to understand their perspectives on Laudato Si’, environmental care, and their role in the province’s ecological transition.

This effort resulted in the first-ever carbon assessment of a Jesuit province, published in a comprehensive report that has since informed critical processes and priorities within the EOF province. The findings underscored the urgent need for emission reductions in the Global North, where the responsibility to act on climate is greatest. The report also emphasised that reducing emissions is not only about sustainability but also about justice—recognising the disproportionate impact of the Global North’s emissions on vulnerable communities worldwide.

Building on this initial collaboration with the EOF province, in 2023, JCI also partnered with the Jesuit Irish province to assess the environmental impact of the Jesuit communities in Ireland. During this process, we worked on the design of an ecological transition roadmap which ensured that Jesuits in Ireland would be aligned with the Paris Agreement by 2 tons of CO2 emissions per Irish Jesuit per year target by 2050 through investments in electrification, the deployment of renewables, and lifestyle changes -- the first ever Jesuit province to experiment with climate scenarios and targets.

In parallel with these pioneering efforts, JCI has expanded its scope and now supports various faith actors in advancing emissions management, designing more sustainable practices, and setting their climate targets. Today, the project supports institutions and other religious actors, such as dioceses and religious orders, in understanding their environmental impact, conducting carbon audits, and developing action plans that align with their values and mission. JCI encourages shared learning, accountability, and the collective pursuit of climate justice.

In particular, recognising the significant role of education in fostering a sustainable future, in 2024, JCI focused on developing partnerships with schools. Within this area, JCI has recently developed aguide for schools to become more sustainable and two pilot projects are underway with a Jesuit school in Malta and a Jesuit school in France, which will assess their carbon footprint, offer guidance in their quest to become more climate-friendly, as well as kickstart an ecology themed conversation bringing together students, staff and families.

The JESC Carbon Initiative empowers faith-based communities to turn ecological ideals into actionable commitments through these growing partnerships and initiatives. By fostering accountability, encouraging collaboration, and championing climate justice,JCI continues to drive systemic change rooted in the 4th UAP and the values of Laudato Si’. As this project moves forward, I hope for an ever-growing network of faith actors united in their pursuit of a sustainable future—one where caring for our common home becomes not only a mission but a shared legacy of climate action, resilience, and responsibility for generations to come.