Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

environment - archive

environment and
climate change

news

 

We also have a separate list of events related to climate change.

January 2015

Christian Ecology Link renames as Green Christian
Christian Ecology Link has renamed itself Green Christian so that people will more easily understand its work supporting a positive Christian response to the environmental crisis, it says.
Green Christian link to external website

December 2014

Lack of progress made in UN Climate talks - Christian Aid
Nations at the UN climate summit in Lima have 'failed to respond to the call of the public, scientists and investors, but there is still time to change the course of history', said Christian Aid. At the next climate summit in Paris next year, where a global deal will be agreed, the 'deal needs to be more than just about carbon cuts. Both climate finance and support for poor countries to adapt must form part of the agreement', commented Christian Aid's Senior Climate Change Advisor, Mohamed Adow.
Christian Aid link to external website

WCC member churches commit to climate justice at UN conference
Care for creation and affirmation of faith values in addressing the impact of climate change were highlighted in a number of initiatives organized by members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Lima, Peru.
World Council of Churches link to external website

November 2014

New resource encourages Christians to take action on climate change
Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) has produced a new resource Climate Change - Can I Make a Difference? to encourage Christians to become more eco-aware and eco-active at church and at home. The publication is free to download. 
Church of Ireland link to external website

Hope for the Future seeking churches in 2015 target constituencies
Hope for the Future, a UK wide campaign supported by Christian Aid, aimed at getting realistic climate change policies into the manifestos of the main political parties ahead of the next general election in May 2015, is looking for churches in target constituencies willing to organise a 'Climate Write-In or visit their local MP.
Hope for the Future link to external website

Song of the Prophets: A global theology on climate change - Christian Aid
This paper seeks to underpin theologically Christian Aid's work on Climate Change and offers theological reflection that brings both challenge and hope. It affirms that climate change is being caused by and contributing to the injustices and inequalities of our world and includes the experience of Christian Aid's partners, many of whom already live with the most challenging realities of climate change. It listens to theologians from the global South, from the contexts where climate change is having its greatest impact.
Christian Aid link to external website

October 2014

Irish churches urged to join International Day of Prayer for Climate Justice
Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) hopes that churches in Ireland will participate in the International Day of Prayer for Climate Justice by including prayers for the environment at all services during the weekend of 1st and 2nd November.
Churches in Ireland link to external website

September 2014

Interfaith declaration on climate change
30 faith leaders representing nine religions signed their names to a statement calling for concrete actions to curb carbon emissions, at a conference jointly hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Religions for Peace, an interfaith coalition with members in more than 70 countries.
World Council of Churches link to external website

July 2014

WCC announces September Interfaith Summit on Climate Change
More than 30 religious leaders will take a united stand to encourage international and political leaders to address the causes and consequences of climate change at the Interfaith Summit on Climate Change on September 21-22 in New York City.
World Council of Churches link to external website

June 2014

How does climate change affect human rights?
'Climate change is and will seriously impact human rights' was the message at a recent side event to the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva.
World Council of Churches link to external website 

Christian Aid calls on parties to make climate manifesto pledge
As political parties begin to prepare their manifestos ahead of the 2015 UK General Election, Christian Aid is pressing for action to tackle climate change to be made a priority.
Christian Aid link to external website  
    

March 2014

Christian Aid report shows human cost of climate change
A new report from Christian Aid shows the devastating effects of climate change using personal stories from seven different countries. The report is intended to put a human face to the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Christian Aid press release link to external website
Taken by Storm report link to external website

Church of Scotland explores its position on fracking
An Ecology and Energy Roadshow on Fracking is being hosted across Scotland by the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland aimed at understanding more clearly the views held amongst the public - will it help reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty or will it make these things worse?
Church of Scotland link to external website

February 2014

Churches should follow C of E's lead says Eco Congregation Ireland
Eco Congregation Ireland is asking all churches in Ireland to follow the lead of the Church of England and begin a similar process that would see every church engage constructively with their call to care for God's Creation, especially around the issue of climate change.
Church of Ireland link to external website
 

Church of England efforts on climate change to include investments 
The General Synod of the Church of England has voted in favour of raising the issue of climate change higher up the church's agenda and to align these efforts with the church's ethical investment activities. A reconstituted Shrinking the Footprint working group will monitor, facilitate co-ordination and promote the responses of all parts of the Church of England to environmental challenges. The decision has been welcomed by Operation Noah.
Church of England link to external website
Operation Noah link to external website


January 2014

Ethical decisions in financial sector crucial for climate justice
There is a significant role of financial policymaking by governments in addressing climate change, says Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), following a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum, currently underway in Davos, Switzerland.
World Council of Churches link to external website 
  

December 2013

Submissions for Environment (Wales) Bill consultation end 15 January 2014
There's still time to comment on the White Paper from the Welsh Government which sets out proposals for the Environment (Wales) Bill. Submissions can be made by email or post.
Welsh Government link to external website 

Video and report from the Inaugural John Stott London Lecture
Nearly 200 people attended the lecture which reflected John Stott's commitment to 'double listening' to God's word and God's world. The talks from the Rev Dr Chris Wright (International Ministries Director of Langham Partnership International) and David Nussbaum (Chief Executive of WWF-UK) are included below. There is a report on the A Rocha website link to external website

Rev Dr Chris Wright

   
David Nussbaum

 

Church of Scotland urges UK Government to meet carbon emission targets
The Church of Scotland has joined more than 100 businesses, faith groups, investors and non-governmental organisations calling on the Government to follow the advice of the Committee on Climate Change and stick to its current emission reduction objectives under the Fourth Carbon Budget.
Church of Scotland link to external website
  

November 2013

Faith communities advocate climate justice at UN climate conference
Representatives of faith communities at the United Nations COP 19 conference called for a just climate deal to be adopted by the UN in 2015, while many observers commented that COP19 concluded without fulfilling expectations.
World Council of Churches link to external website 

Operation Noah challenges Church investors over fossil fuels
Responding to a statement from the Church Investors Group, Operation Noah argues that engagement with fossil fuel companies is no longer appropriate in the light of scientific evidence on climate change.
Operation Noah link to external website

 

October 2013

Church of Scotland Moderator pledges support for climate justice
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev Lorna Hood, has expressed her support for climate justice following the Scottish Government announcing an extra £3 million to increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Church of Scotland link to external website

 

   
Quakers follow Operation Noah with call for divestment from fossil fuels

Investing in companies who are engaged in fossil fuel extraction is incompatible with Quakers' commitment to become a low-carbon community, say representatives of Quakers in Britain, although a final decision to divest rests with Trustees who meet on 18 October. Last month, Operation Noah launched its campaign 'Bright Now: towards fossil free Churches'.
Quakers in Britain link to external website
Operation Noah link to external website

September 2013

IPCC report a stark warning of the need for global climate action 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a stark warning of the need for urgent global action to avert devastating global warming, said Christian Aid.
Christian Aid link to external website

World must heed new IPCC climate warnings says Christian Aid
Christian Aid is urging governments to heed the warnings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which publishes its new report on the state of the world's climate on Friday (27th) September.
Christian Aid link to external website

June 2013

MPs rejection of decarbonisation target 'deeply disappointing'
Christian Aid says the vote by MPs against setting a decarbonisation target in the Energy Bill is ‘deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity'.
Christian Aid link to external website

Churches join alliance calling on MPs to back decarbonisation target
The Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church are among 55 organisations calling on MPs to vote in favour of a decarbonisation measure in the House of Commons on 4 June.
Methodist Church in Britain link to external website

May 2013 

Operation Noah asks Liberal Democrats to vote for decarbonisation target
ON says vote on crucial amendment to the Energy Bill in Parliament on 3 June is once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Operation Noah link to external website  

Church of Scotland issues urgent call for action to tackle climate change
Climate change must be tackled urgently, with the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere having passed the milestone of 400 parts per million, says the Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland.
Church of Scotland link to external website

April 2013

C of E encourages parishes to sign up for national energy audit
Shrinking the Footprint, the C of E's national environmental campaign, is calling on parishes across the country to mark the period between Earth Day, Monday April 22, and World Environment Day on 5th June, by signing up to its national energy audit.
Church of England link to external website

February 2013

Joint statement calls for Govt to commit to near carbon-free power by 2030
Many NGOs, faith groups and other organisations are backing an amendment to the Energy Bill which includes a decarbonisation target. 
Operation Noah backs call for decarbonisation target in Energy Bill (PDF)

Operation Noah calls for Government to change direction on energy policy
On Ash Wednesday, Operation Noah will call on the Government to change the direction of its Energy Bill, currently going through parliament.
Operation Noah link to external website

October 2012
  

Churches put Government's green credentials on trial
The Government's draft Energy Bill would set the UK up for failure on carbon targets, argue the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the Quakers in Britain and the United Reformed Church.
Methodist Church in Britain link to external website 

September 2012
Report from Eco-Congregation Ireland's inaugural conference
Over 140 delegates from across Ireland and the UK attended the first ever inter-church conference on the environment to take place on the island.
Church of Ireland link to external website

June 2012
  

Governments must do more on climate change  
Churches have voiced their disappointment that the Rio+20 Earth Summit has not made progress. The Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain say that world leaders have largely repeated previous climate pledges, rather than pressed forward.
Baptist Union of Great Britain link to external website

WCC general secretary's message for Rio+20
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit pressed for the future sustainability of the Earth and stronger commitments for ecological justice at Rio+20.
WCC link to external website

Archbishop of Canterbury's message for Rio+20
Watch the Archbishop of Canterbury's video message in advance of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
Archbishop of Canterbury link to external website

February 2012
  

Church leaders sign the Ash Wednesday declaration
Leaders representing most of the UK's mainstream churches have called for repentance over the prevailing 'shrug-culture' towards climate change.
Operation Noah link to external website
Church of England link to external website

Christian Ecology Link promotes LOAF programme in run up to Easter
Christian Ecology Link (CEL) is asking supporters to think and act on food sourcing in their local church communities for Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), or Pancake Day, on 21 February 2012.
Christian Ecology Link link to external website

December 2011
  

Response to the UN climate talks in Durban
Was it a success or failure? Operation Noah has produced a round-up of verdicts on the talks.
Operation Noah link to external website

The sun hasn't yet set on solar energy says Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland is not happy with the way a consultation into feed-in tariffs has been carried out, saying that the changes may be regressive, would hit housing associations who have been at the forefront of energy efficient saving ideas and affect congregations looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Church of Scotland link to external website

November 2011
   

Church of England petition on solar tariffs
The Church of England is calling on the UK Government to slow down plans to drop the rate on solar feed-in tariffs and is asking people to sign an online petition.
Church of England link to external website

Operation Noah's Annual Lecture
Professor Tim Gorringe asked 'Is climate change, and its connection with the global economy, a matter for church confession?'
Operation Noah link to external website

July 2011
   
Coventry first cathedral to install solar panels
178 solar panels will be installed at Coventry Cathedral to create 50kW electricity generation capacity.
Ekklesia link to external website

April 2011
  
Church in Wales launches environment website
Church Action on Sustaining the Environment (CHASE) allows parishioners to test how green their churches are and find out how to reduce their carbon footprint.
Church Action on Sustaining the Environment (CHASE) link to external website

March 2011
  
Carbon pledges at Lambeth interfaith forum
A range of carbon lifestyle pledges were hung on the historic fig tree at Lambeth Palace at an Interfaith Seminar on Environment & Sustainability attended by religious and political leaders and representatives of all major faiths.
The Church of England link to external website

November 2010
  
Churches tell world leaders to create low carbon economies
The Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain are urging political leaders to lay out plans for low carbon economies at the Cancun follow-up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.
The Methodist Church link to external website

October 2010
  

CEL's ecocell 2 programme sets ambitious personal CO2 targets
Those following Christian Ecology Link's ecocell 2 programme, to be launched at the annual members' meeting on 6 November, will commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to 15% of the current UK average or less.
Christian Ecology Link link to external website

September 2010
  

Prayers for biodiversity protection
Christian Ecology Link is calling on churches to pray for biodiversity protection in the period approaching the World Conference on Biodiversity at Nagoya Japan 18 - 29 October.

Prayers for World Conference on Biodiversity 2010Prayers for World Conference on Biodiversity at Nagoya Japan 2010 (Doc, 900k)

   
More details from Christian Ecology Link (CEL) link to external website

August 2010
Church bells ring to highlight toll of biodiversity
The Church of England is encouraging bell ringers from small parish churches to large cathedrals to ring on September 22 to mark the UN 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
Church of England link to external website

Ecodiocese Award
Ecocongregation and the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint programme are launching an Ecodiocese Award. Ecodiose Award Scheme for Church of England (PDF) link to external website 

A Rocha UK's 2010 Environment Resource Pack
What a Wildly Wonderful World is now available for download. It can be used at any suitable time - such as for Environment Sunday, Harvest or Creation Time services.
A Rocha UK link to external website

 

a road closed sign in a flood
Creation Time 2014 resources
Creation Time 2014 Download resources for Creation Time 2014 - God, Whose Farm is All Creation - to coincide with the UN International year of Family Farming
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Dispossession Project
Dispossession Project Try this interactive pilgrimage exploring the relationship between God's mission and our own social responsibilities to others and the whole of creation.
More >>
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