* Updated 26 November 2021 *
Time is running out for world leaders to implement measures to limit the effects of global warming by restricting the temperature rise to 1.5C.
Following this vital climate change conference, churches and Christian groups are assessing what was achieved and what needs to be done next…
Churches and Christian groups have tried to encourage governments to take action, including through the Climate Sunday initiative, the biggest ecumenical Christian movement for climate justice.
Climate Sunday stand at COP26
During the conference, some Christian groups had accredited representatives in the’ Blue Zone‘, a UN-managed space which hosted the negotiations. The space also featured panel discussions, side events, exhibits, and cultural events which the groups got involved with. Other events, exhibitions, workshops and talks took place in the ‘Green Zone‘ which was managed by the UK Government and was a space open to the general public. Climate Sunday had a stand in this area.
Below we detail the major faith events and latest responses to the COP26 conference. We also list some useful sources of background information and links to some of the organisations which reported from the conference (see boxes).
News
COP26 progress – what are Christian groups saying?
With the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow now over and an agreement reached, how are the churches and Christian groups responding? More
Faith and the Climate Crisis – 1 December 2021, 6-7pm
18:00 – 19:00
How can faith communities and individuals help save the planet? Hosted by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, and live streamed from Edinburgh Napier University. More
Post-COP Outcomes and What next? 1 December 7-8.15pm
An opportunity to hear key outcomes from COP26, to explore responses, and to ask the question: Where next as people of faith? More
Watch again: Climate Sunday: Impressions from COP26
Hear more about what happened at the UN Climate Change conference COP26, the outcomes, significant moments and what happens next, in this webinar furst streamed live on 18 November 2021.More
Watch again: CAFOD – What did COP26 achieve?
First livestreamed on 17 Nov 21, Neil Thorns, Head of Advocacy, and Robin Mace-Snaith, Policy Analyst for Climate and Energy, at CAFOD discuss the outcomes of COP26 and the impact on the world’s most marginalised communities. More
Watch again: CAFOD update live from Glasgow
A briefing, first streamed live on 9 November 2021, from inside COP26 with Neil Thorns, CAFOD’s Head of Advocacy, and Dr Geraldine Hill, Advocacy Manager at SCIAF. More
Watch again: The Time Is Now – Christian Aid & Friends from Glasgow Cathedral
Rowan Williams joined The Kingdom Choir and more, for music, prayer and inspiration to work together for climate justice. First streamed live on 8 November 2021 from Glasgow Cathedral. More
Watch again: Fossil fuel divestment, climate justice & just transition for all
Hear from faith leaders and leading voices in the global divestment movement in this event first streamed live from COP26 on 8 November 2021. Organised by Laudato Si’ Movement, Operation Noah, World Council of Churches, Green Anglicans, GreenFaith, CAFOD, Christian Aid, SCIAF, Tearfund and Eco-congregation Scotland. More;
Watch again: COP26 – Faith Communities response to the climate emergency
First live streamed on 8 November 2021, this panel discussion included Eco Church and Eco Congregation, together with Eco Islam, EcoSikhUK and Bhumi Global, and was organised by EcoSynagogue.
Recording on YouTube.
An ecumenical service of solidarity for climate justice at COP26
Join Christian Aid for an ecumenical celebration of its climate justice work, where the Brazilian communities it works with will join in worship. 9 November 2021, 6-7pm, Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church, Glasgow, and online. More
COP26 International Mass
The Bishops of Scotland invite official delegates, visitors to Glasgow and the faithful of Scotland to register to attend an International Mass in St Aloysius’ Church, Rose Street, Glasgow on Sunday 7 November at 1.00 pm. More
Ecumenical Service of Worship
Watch the livestream of this service from Glasgow Cathedral on 7 November 2021 from 4pm, organised by Glasgow Churches Together (please note that the in-person service is ticket only and is fully subscribed). More
Global Day of Action for Climate Justice – 6 November 2021
Many churches and Christian organisations are encouraging members and supporters to join events in this decentralised global mass day of action. More
Faith in Action for Climate Justice – 2 November 2021, 7.30pm
Faith activists, youth and leaders from around the world present their calls for climate justice at COP26 to political leaders. St George’s Tron Church, Glasgow, or online. More
Church in Wales 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. More
Open letter to COP26 Delegates from Co–Chairs of the Irish Inter–Church Meeting
Co–Chairs of the Irish Inter–Church Meeting write to appeal for meaningful national and international action to combat climate change and protect the most vulnerable at the COP26 Climate Conference. More
Bishop Martin Hayes to attend COP26 for Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
Bishop Martin Hayes, the coordinating bishop for Laudato Si’, and a member of the Council for Justice & Peace of the Bishops’ Conference, speaks about COP26 in a brief video interview. More
Church members encouraged to take part in COP26
Church of Scotland congregations are being encouraged to take part at local events, online or in person. The denomination is also supporting hospitality, worship and advocacy around COP26. More details
The Scottish Episcopal Church at COP26
Hub for news and online worship from the Scottish Episcopal Church during COP26. More
News and Statements from the Catholic Church in England and Wales
Read the latest news and statements relating to COP26 from the Catholic Church in England and Wales, including from Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Pope Francis. More
Methodist hub at COP26
Methodists in Scotland will host events, exhibitions and space to rest at Woodlands Methodist Church. The church will hold a livestreamed event from Climate Justice 4 All on 6 and 7 November 2021. More
Quakers’ statement ahead of COP26
‘Our faith does not permit us to stand by’ – Quakers in Britain are calling for just solutions to the climate crisis and encouraging Friends to join the global day of action on Saturday 6 November. More
Ahead of COP26, 72 institutions make largest-ever faith divestment announcement
72 faith institutions, including 37 from the UK, announced their divestment from fossil fuels in the largest-ever joint divestment announcement by religious organisations. More
COP26 Vigil 31 October 21, Glasgow
Prayer and meditation vigil at the start of Scottish Interfaith Week. Join this powerful, symbolic act of unity for our planet. Attend in person or via livestream. More
Faiths4Climate Days of Action
Representatives from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu groups in the UK, as part of a global day of action, walked across London to hand in a statement for the Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street. More
Webinar: ‘Care for Creation’
Saturday 23 October 2021. A day with UK and Global perspectives looking at the theological issues around care for the environment ahead of the COP26 summit in November 2021. More
Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26
Faith leaders from across the UK have signed a declaration urging governments to take action on climate change ahead of the COP26 United Nations conference. More
Leaders issue joint statement on climate change
For the first time, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion have jointly warned of the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on poverty, and the importance of global cooperation. More
The Nations’ Climate Sunday Service
Watch the Nations’ Climate Sunday Service, which took place on 5 September 2021. More
