Churches and faith communities throughout Europe have a role to play in responding to climate change. That is according to the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN), which held its 10th Assembly in Balatonszarszo, Hungary, in September 2014.
More than 100 delegates and guests from 24 countries attended the Assembly under the theme of ‘Energy and Climate Change – the Churches’ Role and Voice’.
The meeting paid particular attention to Creation Time, which is celebrated from 1st
September until 4th October in many churches across Europe.
The Assembly formulated a letter to the churches in Europe which highlights: “We are
called to act locally with a global outlook. As churches and faith communities we are
called to care for our neighbour and our neighbour is every living creature in God’s
creation. We call upon the churches and church leaders across Europe to respond to
the spiritual and practical crisis of climate change.
“Time is limited. Nations of the world will meet at the United Nations Climate
Negotiations in Paris in December 2015. People all over the world are hoping for a fair,
ambitious and binding new treaty as one way to overcome the climate threat. People
of faith are making a pilgrimage, both real and metaphorical, towards this date. Get
involved, learn, pray and take action to help bring about a successful outcome.”
In a separate letter to the EU, in view of expected upcoming decisions on future EU
climate policy, the Assembly urges the Union to step up its ambition in reducing CO2
emissions, energy-saving efforts and promotion of renewable energy. It also
encourages the Union to play an active role in the UN climate negotiations leading to
the COP meeting in Paris next year.
The EU is urged to consider the use of fossil fuels, the major driver contributing to climate change, and to outline policies for disinvestment in fossil fuels. Taking into account the different views of participants on the use of nuclear energy, the Assembly outlined a process for continuing discussions and clarifying divergences in positions in the follow-up process, which includes a separate consultation on this theme next year.
In taking inspiration from the motivating presentation by Bishop James Jones of the
Church of England, the Assembly emphasised: ‘We pray as a community of faith. We
listen to each other and we share our fears but we also share our hopes; fears for the
forseeable impact of climate change and hopes for the possibilities of change and a
renewed world.”
European Christian Environmental Network is closely linked to the Conference of
European Churches. It provides a Europe-wide platform for cooperation of Churches
in responding to challenges in taking care for creation. The Conference of European
Churches demonstrates through its activities its engagement with work on the
environment. Click here to find out more.