World Council of Churches ‘to divest from fossil fuels’

More than 300 churches, including the Church of England, have reportedly decided to pull their investments out of fossil fuel companies. Environmental campaign group 350.org claims the Central Committee of […]

More than 300 churches, including the Church of England, have reportedly decided to pull their investments out of fossil fuel companies.

Environmental campaign group 350.org claims the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), whose members represent 590 million people in 150 countries, is phasing out its fossil fuel holdings.

Guillermo Kerber, who coordinates the WCC’s work on care for creation and climate justice said: “There was an explicit wish at the Finance Committee to include fossil fuels as one of the sectors where the WCC will not invest in, based on decisions to divest from fossil fuels taken by member churches in different parts of the world.

“The general ethical guidelines for investment already included the concern for a sustainable environment, for future generations and CO2 footprint. Adding fossil fuels to the list of sectors where the WCC does not invest in serves to strengthen the governing body’s commitment on climate change as expressed in various sessions of the Central Committee.”

Earlier this year members of the Church of England’s General Synod voted in favour of a motion, which reaffirmed the church’s commitment to play a leading role in the effort to prevent climate change, including through ethical investment activities.

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