SCOTTISH faith leaders have sent a united message to the Scottish Parliament, calling for Holyrood's Climate Change Act to be strengthened.
They said the move is needed to help "stem the tide of a growing climate crisis" hitting the world's poorest countries.
The statement was signed by around 20 leaders representing a range of faith communities in Scotland.
The Scottish Government's Climate Change Bill is due to be unveiled in the summer.
Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham met the faith leaders at an event in Edinburgh, hosted by Claire Baker MSP and organised by Sciaf, Christian Aid, Tearfund Scotland and Islamic Relief in the city’s Dynamic Earth.
Baker welcomed the “strong statement from Scotland’s faith communities”.
The Labour MSP added: “As the Scottish Parliament begins its scrutiny of the new Climate Change legislation we must work together to make sure it is as ambitious and focused on delivery for countries around the globe as it is for Scotland.
"We must make clear our commitment to fully playing our part in ensuring climate justice for the world’s poorest countries who are most vulnerable to climate change and the devastation it can bring.”
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Full text of letter
We as faith leaders stand together to urge the Scottish Parliament to pass a strong and ambitious Climate Change Act; one which reflects Scotland’s fair share of global efforts and one which puts Scotland firmly on the path towards an inclusive, low-carbon future in which we can all flourish.
Our planet is facing an ecological crisis. Already, we are witnessing climate emergencies of increasing frequency, severity and scale. Climate change not only threatens ecosystems and other species; it is the greatest threat to humanity across the globe.
As faith communities we recognise that at the sharp end of climate change are our poorest sisters and brothers, who despite doing least to cause the problem, bear the brunt of the suffering. Without urgent action, vulnerable communities are likely to be pushed further into poverty and insecurity. Future generations too will be left to suffer the consequences of our inaction.
Caring for our common home, therefore, is a moral responsibility. Many religious traditions acknowledge that the greater the capacity to address a threat, the greater the responsibility to do so. As a relatively rich country, clearly there is an ethical imperative to act. Indeed, the First Minister has acknowledged our responsibility to do so.
At the same time, tackling climate change presents an opportunity for us all to rediscover our spiritual relationship with nature. Key to this is our acceptance that the Earth is not a resource for us to exploit at our will. Rather, as stewards of creation, we have a duty to cherish and protect it for the common good.
Scotland has a proud history of standing up to injustice and over the last decade has been a leader in the fight against climate change. If Scotland is to continue to inspire others, it is vital the Climate Change Bill includes ambitious targets backed up by strong policy measures to meet them.
While we must all take action to reduce our emissions, Parliamentarians are in a unique position to tackle climate change. As faith leaders we urge politicians of all parties to show the courage needed to pass an ambitious new Climate Act and in doing so provide an example of strength and hope to the rest of the world.
(From left to right in picture)
- Eilidh Carmichael, United Reform Church
- Claire Baker MSP
- May-Kane Logan, Chair of the Congregational Federation Scotland
- Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal church
- Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, moderator of the general assembly Church of Scotland
- Shabir Beg, chair of Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
- Archbishop Mario Conti, Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow and former SCIAF President and Treasurer
- Allan Foster, the Baha’i Council for Scotland
- Mary Sweetland, Eco-Congregation Scotland
- SCIAF President Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell
- Ali Abbas, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society and board member of Interfaith Scotland
- Ameed Versace, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
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