Addressing the Climate Emergency

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A204

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
GENERAL SYNOD 2023
RESOLUTION

Resolution Number: A204

Subject: Addressing the Climate Emergency

Moved By:

Seconded By:

Be it resolved that this General Synod:

Declare, in solidarity with the most vulnerable of our society, that there is a worsening global climate emergency.
Encourage all members of the Anglican Church of Canada to make safeguarding the integrity of God’s creation a priority in our faith and our actions.
Encourage Anglican parishes in Canada to work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help Canada reach a science-based target to keep global temperature increases at or below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Endorse a broad-based approach to investing which considers people, society, and the environment as important as financial performance.
Encourage all parishes to publicize their efforts as a Christian witness to their communities at large as a means of demonstrating our deep and abiding commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Request the Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee to report progress back to the Council of General Synod annually and to General Synod 2025.

Source: Climate Justice Committee, Anglican Diocese of Niagara

Submitted By: Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?

Yes No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?

Yes No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

The global climate emergency has been identified as one of the most pressing moral issue of our time; the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations released yet another dire warning for the planet in 2021; the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, and the Ecumenical Patriarch urged world leaders “to listen to the cry of the Earth” and address climate change; our Baptismal Covenant and our Fifth Mark of Mission call us to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

In 2019 the Responsible Investing Task Force of the General Synod created a resource for “Investing with a Mission” to assist Anglican entities interested in increasing their engagement with environmental, social, and governance issues as they invest funds to support their mission. The 2019 General Synod passed Resolution A203 endorsing the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development, including the goal to take action to fight climate change and its impacts. The 2019 General Synod also passed Resolution C003, recognizing a climate emergency.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION

(G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together.

Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass.

If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of business require a vote to be taken by dioceses. A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour.

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

Resolution A204