SAFCEI and SACC lead SA faith leaders’ calls for climate justice

This is the final joint press release from the South African interfaith conference on climate change in Durban last week. The conference was initiated by SAFCEI, in partnership with the South African Council of Churches, environmental agency Indalo Yethu and the Economic Justice Network.

Interfaith Leaders launch COP17petition  on Climate Justice

Koinonia Conference Centre, Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal

Wednesday 21 September, 2011

The time for talking is over!

This was the message today (Wednesday 21 September) from South Africa’s faith leaders to the anticipated 30 000 delegates from around the world who will gather in Durban on 28 November for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, commonly known as COP17.

Unlike the 16 previous COPs, COP17 cannot be allowed to fail. As  spiritual leaders of millions of South Africans and the representatives of civil society, we demand that practical and measurable programmes be put in place to reduce our carbon emissions and the impact of climate change on the world.

Under the banner of “We have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice”,  the faith leaders from South Africa signalled their intention to have their collective voice loudly heard by being the first to sign what they hope will be a multi-million signature petition to be presented to COP17.

Hosted by South Africa’s national environmental agency Indalo Yethu; the South African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI); the South African Council of Churches (SACC), and the Economic Justice Network (EJN) , the three-day conference demanded that “moral, ethical and spiritual principles, and not profit or economic gain, be applied in the COP17 negotiations to secure a common future for humanity.”

“To this end we call upon global governments – and indeed our own government – to commit to a fair, ambitious and legally-binding agreement – and a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol. We are all accountable for the survival of human life. We are the nation of hope  and we will not  allow South Africa to become the burial ground of the Kyoto Protocol. ” said  Keith Vermeulen, spokesperson for the SACC.

SAFCEI executive director Bishop Geoff Davies guides delegates through the petition signing. Pic: Nava Derakhshani

While recognising the need for all countries to set carbon emission targets and implement programmes that will begin to heal planet earth, the faith leaders have called on wealthy nations to help finance the efforts of the developing world.

“Developed countries are the biggest polluters.  And yet the impact of floods and droughts is felt most acutely in the developing world. The historically-polluting nations have an ecological debt which needs to be paid to developing countries through additional development aid, governed inclusively and equitably by the United Nations,” he said.

To underscore their commitment to empower people to respond to climate change , the faith leaders  have committed  to lead the development of an African-centred Climate Charter. This Charter will espouse the rights and aspirations of our communities towards a sustainable world

The partners will also be mounting several high profile public participation events in the weeks leading up to COP17.

Events that have our support are::

• A travelling caravan through seven countries to mobilise Africa’s youth

• A civil society march

• A multi-faith prayer service

• A Mass Rally, expected to attract 50 000 people, on Sunday 27 November at 2pm being the eve of COP17.

• A “Climate Train” for increased public awareness.

A delegate offers a message on fracking. Pic: Nava Derakhshani