Bishops call for bold action on climate crisis

Governments, and every one of us, must act fast now to avert a climate disaster, warn the bishops of the Church in Wales.

In a statement marking the start of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the five leaders of the Church in Wales describe the climate emergency as a “profound challenge for humanity” and call for bold and decisive action to cut carbon emissions to net zero.

They warn that climate change is a matter of justice as poorer people and developing countries are most at risk from its consequences. They urge wealthier countries to share knowledge and resources to help those countries already affected.

The bishops highlight six action points for political leaders and they also encourage people to make their voices heard by supporting the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice on November 6.

The bishops are: Andy John, the Bishop of Bangor and Senior Bishop; Gregory Cameron, the Bishop of St Asaph; Joanna Penberthy, the Bishop of St Davids; June Osborne, the Bishop of Llandaff; and Cherry Vann, the Bishop of Monmouth.

The full statement follows.

The Climate Emergency is a profound challenge for humanity and the decisions made at COP26 will affect us all.

Scientists warn that this decade is critical to stave off catastrophic climate change. We are already witnessing extreme weather events. The unprecedented heatwaves, droughts and wildfires in the USA, Canada, Turkey, Greece and Siberia, the catastrophic floods in Germany and our own experience of Storm Dennis in South Wales last year are but a foretaste of what is in store for many more of us if we continue on our current path.

We must act fast to avert disaster. What happens in the next 10 years can change the course of history.

Climate change is also an issue of justice. People who are marginalised, on low incomes and developing countries are most at risk. They have contributed least to the situation and yet they are the least able to adapt to the consequences.

Governments need to be bold, decisive and to act fast so that carbon emissions are cut drastically over the next few years and we have to hold them and ourselves to account.

Each one of us needs to limit our contributions to climate change by moving away from our unsustainable life-styles and consumption.

This year the Church in Wales committed to being Net Zero Carbon ideally by 2030 and by divesting from fossil-fuel companies by the end of 2021.

We are now calling on our political leaders to:

1. Take immediate action to achieve net-zero emissions.
2. Limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
3. Hear the voices of people already impacted by climate change and put their needs centre stage
4. Equip those most at risk of climate change with the financial means to tackle climate change.
5. Ensure that wealthier nations take the lead by sharing knowledge and resources with those nations experiencing the inescapable consequences of climate change.
6. Take action to stop the use of fossil fuels and the expansion of fossil-fuel energy and invest in clean energy.

We also encourage people in Wales to take part on the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice on November 6 to make their voices heard.

We all have an obligation to care for God’s creation and we pray that COP26 will prove a real turning point in our stewardship of earth’s precious resources.

The Bishop of Bangor, Andy John

The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron

The Bishop of St Davids, Joanna Penberthy

The Bishop of Llandaff, June Osborne

The Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann