Engagement, education and ethics - inseparable elements of climate policies
Churches’ response to the proposed EU climate change policy for 2030
Climate change is a threat to the world. Climate change is closely linked to the principles of the
functioning of modern societies, in particular with the ever increasing demands for energy, its supply and
consumption. We acknowledge and appreciate the genuine interest of many national governments and the
EU to play a leading role in tackling climate change and in proposing policies leading to significant
reductions in GHGs emissions.
Need for ambitious targets
In its last report the IPCC reminded us that current commitments aiming to avert the devastating impacts
of climate change in the coming decades are far from sufficient. We believe that the core of tackling
climate change is ambitious, fair and a binding global agreement to which the EU will contribute by its
leadership, as well as committing itself to fair and large-scale domestic targets.
Taking into account scientific data, as well as the EU’s own commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by
80% before 2050, the proposed EU 2030 target for reducing CO2 emissions by 40% reveals only minimal
aspirations for remaining on track for the long-term target in 2050. Even if this were achieved, we can
expect vulnerable communities to face significant suffering. We urge the European Council to be more
ambitious in the final decision shaping the EU climate and energy policies and to unfold, in particular, the
full potential of energy efficiency, energy saving and find efficient ways for substantially reducing energy
demand.
Fairness and justice
As the last IPCC report recalls, climate change is directly related to the accumulative nature of CO2
emissions in the atmosphere. A just and fair response to climate change requires that the suffering of
those victims of climate change who have contributed the least to the current threat be taken into
account. The EU and industrialised countries of the world need to acknowledge and take responsibility
for their historical emissions thus attempting to bring justice to the table. At the same time, it is important
that the EU will play its part in ensuring that industrial countries fulfil their promises to contribute to the
Green Climate Fund. We believe that justice is an inseparable dimension of the considerations on
climate change from the perspective of future generations as well.
Need for new thinking beyond market solutions and principals of growth
An effective tackling of climate change has to go beyond this. As the IPCC report emphasised, only a
total shift to low-carbon generation can effectively tackle climate change. Improving energy efficiency
in using fossil fuels will be not sufficient. It has to include, as its essential element, a shift towards
transition, fresh understanding of the limits and capacities of growth based economies, as well as 2
much more cooperation between states and non-state stakeholders. The EU must promote green jobs and a
revival of sustainable production of goods locally rather than imported from developing countries.
Economic issues and the ever present drive in human nature to consume and possess more must not
refrain us from putting together effective policies on tackling climate change. Political decisions
responding to climate change need to take into account a wider context than the pursuit of profit and
unlimited economic growth. In particular, we urge the EU to withdraw investments in fossil fuels.
Engagement of citizens, education and ethics
No single country can respond to climate change adequately or on its own. A community approach is
inevitable. The new EU policies on climate change have to be based on effective and equitable
cooperation. They also have to put in place efficient financial mechanisms in order to create a pool of
resources to assist those EU Member States that bear a disproportionally higher burden towards a common
and effective EU climate policy.
The proposition of cooperation and a community approach is valid in the global framework as well. We
urge the EU to continue to play a leading role on the global stage. This should include providing
structured packages for tackling climate change in developing countries, supporting them in developing
local solutions and sustainable food production, playing a leading role in the preparatory negotiations
before the COP meeting in Paris 2015 and in integrating ambitious, fair and binding targets in climate
policies in the discussion on SDGs within the UN framework.
Finally, the EU needs to develop measures for inspiring and engaging its citizens. Climate change polices
must not be targeted only at industrial activities. Climate change is a result of a dysfunctional mindset
that demands ever increasing consumption in our households and individual lives. This drive has to
be addressed at its root level and not just dealing with its consequences. Although science and technology
play a significant role in responding to climate change, relying on them alone will not be sufficient.
Addressing ethical issues, educating and involving people are musts in climate programmes.
The role of churches and faith communities
Increasing number of churches in local regional, national and international levels, together with other faith
based organisations, are actively involved in supporting an active approach to the protection of
environment, promoting disinvestment in fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions and working for a low
carbon and sustainable future. European Christian Environmental Network and CEC are committed to
tackling climate change and urge the EU to take ambitious and just decisions when formulating climate
policies.
