Society of the Holy Child Jesus province joins global green initiative

Source: SHCJ

The Society of the Holy Child Jesus - European Province has become a signatory to a new global initiative, the Green Investment Declaration, to fund a greener future.

The Society is an international Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of women who live and serve across four continents. Supported by UK charities Operation Noah and JustMoney Movement, the Declaration celebrates progress made within Christian organisations that are moving their money into climate solutions as part of the fight against climate change.

The Society of the Holy Child Jesus - European Province has been awarded oak level of the initiative, in recognition of their commitment to help fund a green, clean transition.

Yet it's not just about the amount of money faith investors put into climate solutions, but also about the need for values-driven investors to publicly advocate for green investment, creating ripples throughout the wider Church and society, encouraging others to do likewise.

Internationally, Churches manage billions of pounds of investments, with a UN Environment Programme official calling global faith groups - which collectively have trillions of dollars of assets and investments - the third largest economic power on earth. Church Investors Group's 67 members (largely from Britain and Ireland) have combined investment assets of over £26bn.

As faith groups, investing in climate solutions is more crucial than ever as global emissions must be nearly halved by 2030 in order to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Investing in climate solutions is key to ensuring a rapid phase out of fossil fuels - the primary source of planet-heating greenhouse gases - by creating cheaper and cleaner alternatives for transport, energy generation and industry.

Clare Fussell, Campaign Director, Operation Noah said: "By signing up to this Green Investment Declaration, your Church or organisation is not just having a direct impact through your investments but, through speaking publicly about it, you're also creating ripples throughout wider church and society, encouraging others to do likewise. Together we can play our part in the restoration of Creation, starting with our finances."

Sarah Edwards, Executive Director, JustMoney Movement said: "We want to see a larger, more diverse movement of Christians acting to ensure money is used for good, as part of a wider movement of all faiths and none. Collectively, our investment decisions can be a powerful part of our climate action. We hope that a wide range of church investors - from denominations through to local congregations - will embark on a journey of investing for impact through the Green Investment Declaration, as together we pray and act for a fairer, greener world."

Susie Weldon, Director of Communications, FaithInvest commented: "FaithInvest is delighted to see this Green Investment campaign launched by our friends at Operation Noah and the JustMoney Movement. As the leading global non-profit working to support faith groups to invest in line with their values, we urge all faith groups to take a close look and consider whether this initiative accords with their own aims when it comes to aligning their finances and investments with their beliefs and values."

LINKS

Society of the Holy Child Jesus - European Province : www.shcj.co.uk/

Green Investment Declaration: www.operationnoah.org/bright-now-campaign/church-investment-in-climate-solutions/green-investment-declaration/