10th July 2023
Over the weekend I was with Christian Climate Action, raising awareness, through prayer and actions, about the urgency of the climate crisis amongst members of the Church of England who were attending the General Synod held in York. On the Saturday the Synod received a report from their National Investment Boards, outlining the strategy by which they make investments in relation to the climate crisis – a strategy created at the request of the General Synod in 2018. The NIBs response has included working with others to create the Transition Pathway Initiative which examines – and rates – leading companies across all sectors to establish the degree to which they have a business plan compatible with the 2050 net zero emissions target. This year’s report to Synod was particularly focused on their decision to divest from major fossil fuel companies because their business plans are not so aligned – especially in the critical short term of the next few years.
Will NIBs and more importantly the Church of England as a whole now use its voice to urge other investors to follow suit? Will the remaining 6 C of E dioceses (including Southwark) now also divest themselves of fossil fuel holdings? Will the Government pay attention and review its decision to license new oil and gas exploration and production?
The Green Tau 