Scottish Faith Leaders Lobby on Climate Change

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Moderator David Lunan, and Imam Muhammad Ruzwan, have met Cabinet Secretary John Swinney to call for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill.

The Scottish faith leaders highlighted that they can play an active role in helping the government promote and implement solutions to climate change in their communities but insisted the Scottish government has a duty to engage the Scottish public and must not forget the millions of people living in poverty in developing countries who are already becoming the worst affected.

The three faith leaders were representing their respective international aid agencies including SCIAF, which is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition. The coalition is calling on the government to:

• Cut greenhouse gases by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050;

• Set annual budgets to ensure reductions of at least 3% per annum;

• Mainstream international development considerations within the Bill and government action on climate change more broadly;

• Commit to providing adaptation funding in addition to, and not at the expense of, the aid budget, to help communities in developing countries cope;

• Ensure there is a development expert on a new Scottish Climate Change Committee advising the Scottish government.

Following the meeting Cardinal O’Brien said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Cabinet Secretary and had an open and constructive meeting. The government should be commended on setting the ambitious targets they have outlined in their consultation.

“All faiths are concerned about the ethical and social implications of climate change, especially for those already living in poverty in the developing world. This is not just an environmental problem. That is why the Moderator, Imam and I, together with our respective international aid agencies, SCIAF, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief, have called on the government to back the sensible proposals being put forward by the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition.”

During the meeting the faith leaders encouraged the government to include new funding for developing countries to help them adapt to the challenges they face, adopt targets to ensure the government, and successive administrations, are held to account for meeting greenhouse gas reductions, and also look at setting up a Scottish Climate Change Committee to monitor progress and provide advice.

You can get involved in campaigning for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill by writing to your MSP.

Imam Muhammad Ruzwan said:

“The Scottish government must seize the opportunity presented with the forthcoming Scottish Climate Change Bill to set an example to governments in the rest of the world and help those most in need.”

The faith leaders also offered their support to the government in helping to raise awareness and engage their communities in the local action they can take to reduce their own greenhouse gas consumption.

Moderator of the General Assemby of the Church of Scotland David Lunan said:

“Faith communities can play a major role in helping the government achieve its objectives on climate change, by raising the issue and encouraging their communities to take action in their own lives. Eco-congregations and Fairtrade in faith centres are excellent examples of how faith groups can make a real difference.

“Scotland is in a unique position to exercise moral leadership due to the track record of our international aid agencies working to help people in developing countries who are already experiencing the impact of climate change.

“The faiths have a vital role to play in helping to shape and influence the values and actions of their communities which need to be addressed if we are to make the changes necessary to combat climate change.”

The minister has agreed for the government’s policy officials to hold further meetings with their counterparts in SCIAF and the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition to continue the dialogue.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is a large, broad coalition which aims to create a popular public mandate for political action to stop human-induced climate change. Among its members are SCIAF, Islamic Relief, Christian Aid, WWF, the churches, Oxfam, Concern, RSPB and Friends of the Earth Scotland, along with student societies, trade unions, faith and women’s groups, and community councils.

Media enquiries to:

Val Morgan Tel: 0141 354 5555
Mobile: 07914 408 589
Email: vmorgan@sciaf.org.uk