South Africa: Faith leaders condemn climate "apartheid"

Rt Rev John Rawsthorne (right), Bishop of Hallam, UK walks through the Peak District & Rt Rev Martin Kivuva Musonde Bishop of Machakos, Kenya walks through Machakos countryside. This image represents the need for rich countries’ solidarity with developing nations on the issue of climate change. [Andy Aitchison/Thomas Omondi]

The South African Faith Communities Environment Institute is calling for decisive action from world leaders at the Copenhagen climate talks

In its statement, the Institute, whose members include our partner Diakonia Council of Churches, condemns “a system of global apartheid where the rich and powerful control the wealth of the world to their benefit - to the detriment and disregard of the poor and the natural environment”.

It also urges South Africa’s government to take a global lead at the negotiations and “stand once again as a world leader, a nation symbolising hope and forward thinking”. In particular, the group of faith leaders challenged South Africa to make meaningful reductions in its own emissions. South Africa is the 12th worst global CO2 emitter, producing more than half of Africa's emissions.

A moral issue

Faith communities and faith leaders across the world are putting climate change in a ethical context and pressing Copenhagen delegates to take moral responsibility.

“As people of faith, we believe we have a responsibility to God and future generations to care for this planet - our home,” says the statement. “We believe it is important for faith communities to be involved, as these are moral issues requiring behavioural change.”

In November, faith leaders from across the world met in Windsor to share their environmental plans. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon spoke of the role of faith communities to “inspire, provoke and challenge political leaders, through your wisdom, through your power, through your followers”.More than 30 organisations from nine faiths were represented.

Rob Rees, CAFOD’s Africa Advocacy Co-ordinator added: “The African church is becoming increasingly outspoken about climate change, as they see firsthand the human and environment cost of droughts, floods and extreme weather.

"We were able to raise our voices in support at The Wave on Saturday, now world leaders need to meet the challenge at Copenhagen.”

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