Faith leaders call on sovereign wealth funds to divest from fossil fuels

Leaders from global faith groups are calling on sovereign wealth and pension funds to end their investments in fossil fuels. In a statement launched at COP22 in Morocco, they urge […]

Leaders from global faith groups are calling on sovereign wealth and pension funds to end their investments in fossil fuels.

In a statement launched at COP22 in Morocco, they urge them to increase investments in renewables in line with the Paris Agreement which came into force last week.

Leaders from different religions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, also gave suggestions to speed the transition to a low carbon future and limit global temperatures rise to 1.5°C.

They include shifting public finances away from fossil fuels, increasing financing to end energy poverty with green sources and ensuring a transition that protects human rights and vulnerable communities.

They add: “We appeal to States to be bound by ethical decency and good faith to honour their commitments made in the Agreement. We therefore ask, for the safety of all, in an urgent increase in climate action and ambition by all governments, with rapid emission reductions in line with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

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