Archdiocese of Birmingham divests from fossil fuels

Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash

The Archdiocese of Birmingham has divested from companies which extract fossil fuels with immediate effect, cementing its commitment to action in the climate emergency.

The Archdiocese has changed its policy to exclude investments in any company which derives more than 5% of its revenues from fossil fuels and is joining the ranks of all those who have committed to attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Divestment in fossil fuels is one of the first steps of many which we will take to ensure that we will not fund the industries which destroy God's creation and impact the poor.

We are pleased to be part of the global divestment announcement to be made by the World Council of Churches, the Laudato Si' Movement, Operation Noah, Green Anglicans and GreenFaith on October 25, joining four Catholic dioceses and many other faith organisations from around the world who have announced their commitment to ethical investment.

Fossil fuel divestment is a powerful act of faith that hundreds of religious institutions around the world have taken to respond to the climate emergency. It increases pressure on governments and financial institutions to end financing for the fossil fuel industry. Furthermore, an increasing number of faith investors are investing in solutions to the climate crisis, and providing access to clean, affordable energy, including zero-carbon energy solutions for the 800 million people without access to electricity.

Archbishop Bernard Longley said: "Our commitment to divestment in fossil fuels is a response both to the cry of the earth and of the poor, taking us one step further towards its consolation.

"We join many other faith organisations who are making the ethical choice to 'shun companies that are harmful to human or social ecology… and to the environment', as Pope Francis calls us to do in the Vatican's manual Journeying Towards Care For Our Common Home. To see so many united in this aim gives me great hope for the future."

James Buchanan, Bright Now Campaign Manager at Operation Noah, said: "It is wonderful news that the Archdiocese of Birmingham has taken the significant step of divesting from fossil fuel companies - joining a movement of more than 200 Catholic organisations around the world.

"As the UK prepares to host the crucial UN climate talks, COP26, later this year, we hope this will inspire more Catholic dioceses and religious orders to divest from fossil fuels and invest in solutions to the climate crisis."