Last week, I had the experience of a lifetime. I was fortunate to attend an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome. I was a part of a group of Greater Manchester leaders, both civic and religious, who were engaging in dialogue with the Pope on the climate crisis. The group consisted of Christian, Sikh, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim leaders who are passionate about ending the climate crisis.

I was there during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, and one which Muslim environmentalists around the world use to educate their communities on our responsibility to combat climate change. I know that, similarly, many Christians use Lent to reflect and act on green issues. Because in Islam, Christianity, Judaism and many other faiths, humans are all khalifah – stewards – of the Earth. Our faiths command us all to reject greed, to embrace balance, and to protect all forms of life on this planet.

For many, faith is core to who we are. We act in accordance with our faith and we use it as a tool to guide us. Additionally, faith leaders generally perform sermons, similarly how a politician would give a speech. Assuring that all leaders understand and agree on the impact the climate crisis has, gives an opportunity for all people across the country to engage in the conversation in a way that is meaningful to them.

For me, the most important part of the Pope’s message on climate change is those three words, ‘Our common home’. Environmental conservation is a common thread among religions, and climate change a common threat to humanity. With leadership, and with an embrace of our responsibilities as stewards of this Earth we share, we can achieve that vision of a sustainable civilisation, with enough resources for everyone to have what they need. And that’s something we can all have faith in. You can read his full address here.

I am proud to have attended and had the opportunity to discuss such an important topic in a place of such significance. I look forward to continuing the interfaith dialogue surrounding the climate emergency and working towards a cleaner, greener Manchester.