Christians join millions demanding climate justice at COP27

photo: Michael Preston for Quakers in Britain

Source: Quakers in Britain, Westminster J&P

Christians of all denominations will be joining mass action across the globe to demand climate justice as states meet in Egypt to try and agree how to tackle climate change.

Mid-way through COP27, Christians will be part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, where millions will call on delegates to ensure wealthier nations pay reparations to poorer countries, who have not only contributed the least to climate change but are least prepared for its impacts.

At COP26 in Glasgow, rich countries blocked attempts by small island states and developing countries, representing over 5 billion of the world's people, to establish a finance facility addressing loss and damage. Since then, catastrophic floods have destroyed parts of Pakistan and Nigeria, the Horn of Africa and China have seen record droughts and Europe and India have suffered long heatwaves.

"For COP27 to have any chance of making progress, it's essential that the voices of young people, indigenous people and other climate justice activists are at the centre of the talks, not excluded from them," said Livvy Hanks, Climate Justice lead at Quakers in Britain.

Quakers are calling for the UK to provide its fair share of funding for a global just transition beyond fossil fuels, and to support communities already bearing the brunt of climate breakdown through an international loss and damage fund paid for by polluters.

Attitudes among rich countries towards paying for climate-related loss and damage may be gradually shifting, with Denmark recently becoming the first central government to pledge finance for loss and damage. The UK, US and EU remain opposed to a new fund.

Quakers in Britain and at the UN are working on a paper outlining sources of funding, to support negotiators and politicians who are not experts and need a summary of possibilities.

Quakers and other faith groups are gathering at St John's Church, Waterloo at 11.30am on 12 November, and will then join the main march at 12pm. Other events are being held across the UK.

Colette Joyce, coordinator of Westminster Justice & Peace Commission, who is leading a Catholic group on the march said: "The urgency is growing with each year that passes, and so we can and must keep the pressure on to demand tangible results this time."