Ahead of ‘The Big One’ climate change protest next month, the Bishops and Archdeacons of the Diocese of London have released a statement in support of the global fight against climate change.
Earlier this year, the Diocese of London Bishop’s Council voted to disinvest from fossil fuels. Whilst the UK Government has established an aim to become net zero by 2050, the Church of England, and the Diocese of London, are aiming for net zero 20 years sooner – by 2030. The Diocese of London’s leaders are now reaffirming this commitment, highlighting the Church’s solidarity with communities across the globe impacted by climate change and the work it is doing to combat carbon emissions and move away from using fossil fuels.
You can read the full statement below:
- As Christian leaders in the Diocese of London, we recognise our shared responsibility in the over-use of global resources, which in turn generate the carbon emissions causing dangerous climate change and harm to nature.
- We express our heartfelt compassion for and solidarity with the communities and people suffering from disasters caused or made worse by climate change and damage to the natural world. Many of those suffering the most are our brothers and sisters in the Global South.
- The Diocese of London is developing a detailed plan to achieve net zero carbon, in accordance with the Church of England’s Routemap to Net Zero. We have begun work towards that objective. Our churches have already made measured cuts of 35% to their annual carbon emissions (since 2005); our schools 28% and our diocesan offices 40% (both since 2019). We know that leaves much more to do.
- The Diocesan Bishop’s Council has resolved to exclude investments in companies producing the fossil fuels that generate most carbon emissions.
- We urge the Government, business and civil society urgently to join hands in this vital effort. We urge the Government in particular to implement the Skidmore Review ‘Mission Zero’, and to produce a detailed, rigorous and costed plan to accelerate and rapidly complete the UK’s transition to net zero.
- Finally we pray to God to bless all our efforts, however small, and declare our sure and certain hope that God will ultimately bring healing to his Creation.
Bishops and Archdeacons of the Diocese of London
March 2023
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, commented:
“As stewards of God’s creation, we have a responsibility to doing whatever we can to act sustainably and protect the world we live in. Across the globe, we are already seeing the impact of climate change affecting lives and communities, particularly in some of the poorest parts of the world. Motivated by our own faith and our care for all of God’s people, we are committed here in London to reducing our carbon emissions as far and as fast as possible.”