Taking place in Bonn, Germany, from 6-17 November, the 2017 United Nations (UN) climate change conference (COP23) aims for progress and initiatives in two critical and inter-linked areas of action:
- Governments working to increase climate action under the terms of the Paris Agreement and the UN Climate Change Convention
- Showcasing, fostering and launching new and expanding global climate action initiatives with an aim to coordinate efforts in more efficient, effective and transformative ways.
Although being held in Germany, the conference is being run by Fiji, one of the small island nations at risk from rising sea levels.
For more details see the UN COP23 website.
You can also read a guide to the conference on The Guardian website.
Christian organisations
Here we report on Churches and Christian organisations covering the conference:
Christian Aid
3 Nov 2017
COP23: Time is now to honour the Paris Agreement
‘In Bonn it is vital that the reality of climate impacts suffered by the most vulnerable nations are brought into the heart of the negotiations and effective support provided to those in need. If climate impacts cannot be addressed at a COP under the presidency of a small island state in a year the world has experienced a slew of unprecedented extreme weather events then when can it be?’ asked Mohamed Adow, Christian Aid’s International Climate Lead.
‘It is important that the world protects the Paris Agreement from the assault of President Trump. So far Trump’s announced withdrawal from the agreement has actually galvanised global action but it’s vital that this is demonstrated clearly in Bonn’, said Mohamed Adow.
For the full statement see the Christian Aid website.
2 Nov 2017
Report: Banks must invest our money in a cleaner future
In the run-up to the conference Christian Aid released a report showing how some of the UK’s high street banks are profiting from some of the dirtiest fossil fuel projects around the world and still investing over three times more in fossil fuels than renewables.
Download the report from Christian Aid.
Operation Noah
17 Oct 2017
COP23 and the Paris Agreement: where are we now?
Operation Noah provides an overview of the issues relating to COP23 looking at:
- The reality of climate change
- Will the Paris Agreement tackle climate change?
- The latest climate science
- The business case for action on energy
- The political case for action on climate
- So what do we do?
Read the briefing on COP23 on the Operation Noah website.
Pray and Fast for the Climate
November’s prayers focus on COP23 – ‘We pray for positive outcomes there, give thanks for some good news around renewable energy, and pray for renewed attention and increased action to deal with the devastation threatening our ecosystems’.
Quakers in Britain
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, has signed an interfaith statement brought together by Green Faith.
See the Quakers in Britain website for full details.
World Council of Churches
5 Nov 2017
The media pack lists ecumenical groups and churches represented at COP23 that are no longer investing in fossil fuels and speakers are available for interview and comment.
Download from the WCC website.
4 Nov 2017
Global churches act together for climate justice in call to COP23
The World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance and Lutheran World Federation have issued a united call for action on climate justice. In a joint video message (see top of page) the leaders of the three organisations called upon the decision makers at COP23 to follow up on the Paris Agreement to enable accountable and ambitious action.
Read the full statement on the WCC website.
CREDITS
Front page photo: Flickr/Takver
