UK Catholics support COP30 fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales said, “The need for a binding commitment to end the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects and to accelerate a global transition away from fossil fuels is urgent.”

The bishops called on the UK government to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty campaign that has been presented during the COP30 negotiations.

They explained, “The need for a binding commitment to end the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects and to accelerate a global transition away from fossil fuels is urgent. Currently, a bloc of 17 countries, consisting mainly of island nations which are under threat of rising sea levels due to climate change, are leading the campaign for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. These small island nations who, in a dark irony, are the least cause of global warming, need our support.”

UK Christian campaigners supported the Global Day of Action for COP30 led by the climate justice movement across the world on Saturday 15 November. England and Wales saw events in Manchester, London, Cheltenham, Glasgow and at least 15 other locations, coinciding with a march in Belém, Brazil, where the UN Conference is taking place.

Before joining the local climate demonstration with other groups, Cafod supporters in Manchester gathered at St Augustine Church, where Bishop John Arnold of Salford, lead bishop on the environment, spoke about the urgent need for climate action and led prayers for climate justice.

Over 400 people then took part in the march, which demanded the UK government shows maximum ambition for ending deforestation, honours its climate commitments, provides justice for impacted communities and makes polluters pay to help fund the green transition.

Cafod urged supporters to write to the Secretary of State Ed Miliband of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to call for structural reform to allow debt-distressed countries to finance climate action through debt cancellation.

In London, several hundred people gathered at Whitehall, some wearing “Christians for Climate Justice” T-shirts. The interfaith organisation Faith for the Climate was represented by Canon Giles Goddard, Shanon Shah and Moiz Bohra. It is one of over 100 climate, migrant and racial justice groups across the UK which have signed an Open Letter, organised by the Climate Justice Coalition, calling UK Leaders to protect communities at risk of climate displacement both at home and abroad, while also recognising migration as a form of climate adaptation.

Columban Sister Kate Midgley was among a Christian group attending Glasgow’s climate march. Christian Climate Action banners were on show at the Glasgow and Brighton events. A COP30 Vigil took place in central Cheltenham all last weekend, organised by the Cheltenham Laudato Si’ Circle, and using Cafod prayers.

Green Christians’ daily online prayers for COP30 continue to attract around 100 participants at 8am each morning. The themes of the prayers for Week 2 of COP30, which ends on 21 November, include: “Forests, Oceans and Biodiversity”, “Sustainable Agriculture”, and “Global Climate Action”.

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