A report released by the London-based Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) revealed that these supply chains provide batteries to major companies such as Panasonic, Tesla and Toyota.

The lack of transparency in EV battery supply chains allows end-user companies to distance themselves from lower-level abuses and evade responsibility for associated risks, according to the BHRRC's report titled "Powering Electric Vehicles."

The BHRRC identified the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (Rio Tuba) in the Philippines, as well as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (ZHC) and CNGR Advanced Materials (CNGR), two Chinese companies operating in Indonesia, as responsible for the "rising incidents of human and environmental rights violations."

"The human rights abuses in electric vehicle supply chains need to be urgently interrogated and mitigated … and supply chain transparency and accountability must be at the heart of this," said Pochoy Labog, the BHRRC's Southeast Asia researcher.

The mining operations of these companies have had detrimental effects on local communities, including the loss of food security, destruction of rainforests, water contamination, harm to marine life and health-related problems such as respiratory issues.

Additionally, the BHRRC stated that the companies failed to obtain free, prior consent from indigenous communities before mining their lands.

Negative consequences of mining are evident

The mining and processing companies involved in these supply chains have refuted the claims made by the BHRRC, stating that their activities do not significantly impact the environment and that their own investigations have not found any rights violations.

However, the report highlights the negative consequences of these mining operations in various regions.

In Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, forests are being destroyed, mine tailings have contaminated rivers and streams, and coral reefs are being affected by the contaminated waters.

In Palawan, the Philippines, Rio Tuba's mining operations have led to water contamination, loss of food security and the destruction of rainforests.

Locals have reported health issues such as coughs and respiratory diseases, prompting water quality tests that revealed the presence of hexavalent chromium, a human carcinogen, in river water samples.

Greenpeace Philippines country director Lea Guerrero said mining is unsustainable since "extractive activity itself is highly destructive."

"We need to change how we use materials as a society," she told BenarNews. "Many mining concessions are located in islands where many biodiversity and ecosystems are destroyed just to extract minerals."

Indonesia, the world's largest producer of nickel, with 21 million metric tons (4.6 billion pounds) in proven reserves, and the Philippines, ranking fifth in reserves but second in nickel production with 330,000 metric tons (728 million pounds) in 2022, play crucial roles in the global nickel market.

"As the globe transitions to these cleaner sources of energy, companies must recognise their role in mitigating the endemic human rights issues in EV battery supply chains - and must use their leverage to hold suppliers accountable for risks in their value chains," BHRRC said.

Sources

Radio Free Asia

Business Green

CathNews New Zealand

Speaking to a delegation of Buddhists from Thailand, he said "Sadly, on all sides, we hear the cry of a wounded humanity and a broken earth".

Inviting Buddhists to continue to work together with the Catholic Church "to cultivate compassion and hospitality for all human beings, especially the poor and marginalised," Francis pointed to our shared humanity.

Both Christians and Buddhists need to guide their respective followers to recognise more vividly the truth that "we are all brothers and sisters," he said.

"It follows that we should work together to cultivate compassion and hospitality for all human beings, especially the poor and marginalised.

"We need to deal with violence too," he said.

"The Buddha and Jesus understood the need to overcome the egoism that gives rise to conflict and violence.

"The Dhammapada sums up the Buddha's teachings thus: 'To avoid evil, to cultivate good and to cleanse one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddha'. (Dph 183).

"Jesus told his disciples: ‘I give you a new Commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.'" (Jn 13:34).

The main reason for the Buddhist delegation's visit to the Vatican was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the meeting between St. Paul VI and the 17th supreme Buddhist patriarch of Thailand, Somdej Phra Wannarat.

Thanking them for their visit, Francis told them he wanted to renew the bonds of friendship and mutual collaboration.

Renewing Paul VI's sentiments when he met the Thai delegation 50 years ago, Francis said: "We have a profound regard for the spiritual, moral and socio-cultural treasures that have been bestowed on you through your precious traditions."

The past 50 years have seen a gradual and steady growth of "friendly dialogue and close collaboration" between the two religious traditions, he noted.

Recalling his apostolic visit to Thailand in 2019, Francis recalled "the wonderful welcome and hospitality" he received.

"At a time when our human family and our planet are facing manifold threats, such friendly dialogue and close collaboration are all the more necessary," he said.

Source

• Vatican News
• UCA News

It comes after he successfully convinced consumer goods giant Unilever to take plastic scoops out of its Surf washing powder.

Unilever said the move, due to start in June 2022, would reduce the amount of plastic in circulation by 14.9 tonnes every year.

Now, Nico has sent a letter to Minister of Education Chris Hipkins, along with other ministers with education portfolios, asking them to help put compost bins in every school. Read more

During his celebration of a Mass marking the 36th World Youth Day, Francis praised young people for their efforts to protect the Earth's environment.

Calling them "friends", Francis told his young congregation "we are not here to be enchanted by the sirens of the world, but to take our lives in hand, to ‘take a bite out of life,' in order to live it to the full.

"In this way, with the freedom of Jesus, we find the courage we need to swim against the current. I would like to emphasize this: swimming against the current, having the courage to swim against the current."

He explained this is not the same as the daily temptation to swim against other people,... but rather against the unhealthy current of our own selfishness, closed-mindedness and rigidity that often seeks like-minded groups to survive."

Francis told them they have been "entrusted with an exciting but also challenging task, to stand tall while everything around us seems to be collapsing."

He also thanked them "for all those times when you cultivate the dream of fraternity, work to heal the wounds of God's creation, fight to ensure respect for the dignity of the vulnerable and spread the spirit of solidarity and sharing."

He noted that many young people have criticized environmental contamination.

"We need this," Francis told them.

Exhorting them to avoid "ambiguous compromises," Francis told them to be free and authentic instead "the critical conscience of society.

"Don't be afraid to criticize! We need your criticism. Many of you, for example, are critical of environmental pollution. We need this! Be free in criticism.

"Be passionate about truth, so that, with your dreams, you can say: ‘My life is not captive to the mindset of the world: I am free, because I reign with Jesus for justice, love and peace!'"

Social justice and care of the environment have been key messages of Francis's papacy.

He is expected to meet with young people from all over the world at the Catholic church's World Youth jamboree in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• AP News
• Image: America Magazine

A general summary of the topics discussed during the closed-door session has been published.

Some of the discussions focused on ordaining married men. It was described as a "legitimate need" but one which "cannot affect a substantial rethinking of the nature of the priesthood and its relationship with celibacy" in the Latin rite.

Instead, vocational programmes for young indigenous men to promote evangelization in remote areas could be considered.

This way there would not be "first-class Catholics" who have easy access to the Eucharist and "second-class Catholics" who go without the sacrament, sometimes even for two years at a time.

Another topic focused on the need to avoid the "colonialism" that characterised early missionary efforts. Rather, cultural identities in the Amazon should be preserved.

This is important, as every culture makes its contribution to the "catholicity" of the church, which is built on respect and complementarity.

Some bishops said the church is like a complex ecosystem with "wonderful spiritual biodiversity" expressed in so many different communities, cultures, forms of religious life and ministries.

Others focused on indigenous practices.

When they are not tied to superstitious beliefs, these practices are looked upon with "benevolence" so long as they may become in tune with "the true liturgical spirit," the speakers said.

Collecting and sharing the different "inculturated celebrations" indigenous communities use with the sacraments of baptism, marriage and priestly ordination is an option one speaker proffered.

Others built on this idea. One bishop suggested there might be a way to establish on an experimental basis — and after appropriate theological, liturgical and pastoral study — an Amazonian Catholic rite for living and celebrating faith in Christ.

Protecting groundwater from chemical contaminants coming from multinational companies and the effect mining in the region is having on the environment were also topics of concern.

Other speakers focused on the serious consequences abusive practices are having on local peoples and urged respect for human and environmental rights.

Climate change, ending the use of fossil fuels, especially in industrialized nations which produce the most pollutants, are similar concerns.

The way many young people are taking the lead in promoting "integral ecology" was noted.

It is important to reach out to young people on issues dealing with safeguarding creation and to promote young people's efforts, many bishops agreed.

Source

• Catholic News Service
• Image: Catholic News Agency

The synod's purpose will be to discuss the future of the Church in the Amazon. These discussions will include the possibility of married priests.

Most of the 260 participants at the synod are bishops from the Amazon region.

Francis reminded them that while Catholic prelates are called to be prudent, they are also called to be open to the possibility of new things.

"Prudence is not indecision; it is not a defensive attitude," he said to the bishops gathered in St. Peter's Basilica.

"It is the virtue of the pastor who, in order to serve with wisdom, is able to discern, to be receptive to the newness of the Spirit.

"Rekindling our gift in the fire of the Spirit is the opposite of letting things take their course without doing anything,.

He asked God to give the prelates a "daring prudence … to renew the paths of the church."

One of the most contentious topics of the synod, is whether to allow older married "proven men" - to be ordained.

These men - also called "viri probati" - would have families and a strong standing in local communities in the Amazon.

This option has been offered as one of the means of coping with the present shortage of priests and is backed by many South American bishops.

If adopted, viri probati would allow Catholics in isolated areas to attend Mass and receive the sacraments regularly.

Eighty-five percent of those living in villages in the Amazon region (which spans eight countries and the French territory of Guiana) cannot celebrate Mass every week.

Some see a priest only once a year.

Although the synod members will not make decisions, participants will vote on a final document with the synod's recommendations.

The pope will then decide which recommendations to integrate into his future rulings.

Other issues on the synod's discussion list that are likely to be contentious include:

• Creating are some sort of recognition for women's ministry
• Finding ways for Catholic communities in the nine-nation region to speak more vocally against rampant ecological destruction taking place in the region
• Environmental protection
• Climate change
• Deforestation
• Indigenous people and their right to keep their land and traditions.

Source

• NCR Online
• Image: Morning Star

Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, says caring for the environment is "one of the most serious duties" for the faithful today.

Christians should not only "not harm" but "improve" the environment, he says. The new canon would be dedicated to this "grave duty."

The canons which Coccopalmerio suggests amending address general obligations for Catholics relating to the practice of the faith and maintaining communion with the Church.

These canons do not address specific moral obligations or particular doctrinal teachings.

Coccopalmerio suggests asking Pope Francis "on behalf of the dicastery for legislative texts" to amend the law.

Inspired by Francis's 2015 encyclical on the environment (Laudato si') and his recent address to CEOs of major oil and gas companies, Coccopalmerio made the proposal during an event earlier this month in Rome.

The event was entitled "Dialogue on Catholic Investments for the Energy Transition."

Participants highlighted the importance of pursuing ethical investment strategies in line with the social doctrine of the Church.

Francis has often expressed his environmental concerns. In his message on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in 2016, he said maintaining our common home ought to be considered a work of mercy.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the Christian calling to respect and protect the earth.

However, some canonists have raised concern about the cardinal's proposal.

On Twitter, canonist Edward Peters called it "a trivialisation of canon law."

Source

• Crux
• LifeSite News
• Image: LifeSite News