{"id":774,"date":"2021-06-10T11:04:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T11:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jointpublicissues.org.uk\/?p=10359"},"modified":"2021-06-10T11:04:19","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T11:04:19","slug":"faith-groups-call-for-g7-to-use-power-wisely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standrewsurcrustington.org.uk\/?p=774","title":{"rendered":"Faith groups call for G7 to use power wisely"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As world leaders arrive in Cornwall this week for the G7 Summit, leaders of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches joined dozens of faith leaders to call on the UK government to use its Presidency of the G7 and of the UN climate talks to drive real progress on addressing the climate crisis.<\/p>\n

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, they state, \u201cAs people
\nof faith, we cannot stand by while world leaders continue to delay action. Delays
\non phasing out support for fossil fuels and on addressing climate impacts are
\ndestroying lives. From the Pacific islands to sub-Saharan Africa, from
\nBangladesh to Brazil, the climate crisis is a present reality for the world\u2019s
\npoorest people. They have little power to tackle this catastrophe which they
\ndid not cause. We ask you, who do have power, to use the UK\u2019s G7 and COP
\nPresidency in their interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

The interfaith letter asks the government to end the use of UK public money to subsidise fossil fuels, and also support the creation of a new international fund to cover the loss and damage suffered by communities most affected by the impacts of the climate crisis. You can read the full text of the letter below.<\/p>\n

The letter follows the publication last month of a significant report from the International Energy Agency which said that in order to limit global temperature rises to 1.5\u00b0C, the target set in the Paris Climate Agreement, there should be no further investment in new fossil fuel supply. <\/p>\n

The
\ninterfaith letter was coordinated by Faith for the Climate, which brings
\ntogether people of every faith to
\naddress the climate crisis and is leading a call to \u2018Make COP Count\u2019. Its
\ndirector, Shanon Shah, commented: \u201cPeople of faith in Britain are acutely aware
\nof the losses and damages suffered by communities around the world due to the
\nclimate crisis. This sense of interconnectedness plays a big part in our
\npursuit of climate justice as a moral and spiritual concern. Together, within
\nand across our different faith traditions, we are asking the UK government to
\nundertake its urgent moral duty to address climate change nationally and
\nglobally.\u201d<\/p>\n

The G7 is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The G7 Summit will take place from 11-13 June in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. On the eve of the summit an interfaith vigil will be livestreamed from Truro Cathedral \u2013 click here to register<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Letter from faith leaders to the Prime Minister<\/h4>\n

10 June 2021<\/p>\n

Dear Prime Minister,<\/p>\n

Cc: Alok Sharma, COP26 President; Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy<\/p>\n

Open letter: climate impacts, fossil fuels, and the G7 summit<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are writing as members and representatives of the major UK faith traditions to urge you to use the UK\u2019s Presidency of the G7 to drive real progress on addressing the climate crisis and its impacts on people around the world.<\/p>\n

As people of faith, we cannot stand by while world leaders continue to delay action- Faith groups\u2019 letter to the Prime Minister<\/p>\n

We welcome the G7\u2019s renewed commitment to limiting global heating to 1.5C, and the progress on phasing out coal. However, much stronger action is needed. A report from the International Energy Agency published in May states that to remain within the 1.5C limit, all new fossil fuel development must cease this year. This is a stark warning.<\/p>\n

As people of faith, we cannot stand by while world leaders continue to delay action. These delays, on phasing out support for fossil fuels and on addressing climate impacts, are destroying lives. From the Pacific islands to sub-Saharan Africa, from Bangladesh to Brazil, the climate crisis is a present reality for the world\u2019s poorest people. They have little power to tackle this catastrophe which they did not cause. We ask you, who do have power, to use the UK\u2019s G7 and COP Presidency in their interests.<\/p>\n

We must heed the IEA\u2019s warning on fossil fuels, and we must also begin to repair the harm already done to people, their homes and lands. We echo the calls of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in urging you to bring loss and damage to the forefront of the UK\u2019s work on COP26.<\/p>\n

We believe that every human life is sacred, and that we have a duty to speak up for those whose voices go unheard. We ask you to:<\/p>\n