The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #4 on Resolution A018 (Episcopalians Participating in Paris Climate Agreement) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A018)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention recognize that there is an important shift toward renewable energy which will help protect God's good creation. Supporting this shift is part of the Church's call to being part of The Jesus Movement in the world and; and be it further

Resolved, That climate change be recognized as a human-made threat to all God's people, creatures and the entire created order, while particularly placing unjust and inequitable burdens and stresses on native peoples, poor communities and people of color; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention, to further advance the House of Bishop's 2011 Pastoral Teaching on the Environment commitment to "advocate for a fair, ambitious, and binding climate treaty,” make every effort to fully and completely participate in future meetings of the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change as an active, faithful and engaged voice for all of God's good earth; and be it further

Resolved, That as individuals and communities of faith, the Episcopal Church set an example, in the spirit of the Paris Climate Accord, by making intentional decisions about living lightly and gently on God’s good earth, for example, through energy conservation, renewable energy, sustainable food practices, gardening, sustainable coffee hours in parishes (considering the carbon footprint, resourcing, health consequences, and waste streams of materials, locations) and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, parishes and individuals making commitment to the Paris Climate Accord consider reporting on their commitments, actions and successes to the Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention recognize that there is an important shift toward renewable energy which will help protect God's good creation. Supporting this shift is part of the Church's call to being part of The Jesus Movement in the world; and be it further

Resolved, That climate change be recognized as a human-made threat to all God's people, creatures and the entire created order, while particularly placing unjust and inequitable burdens and stresses on native peoples, those displaced by environmental change, poor communities and people of color; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention to further advance adopt the House of Bishops’ 2011 Pastoral Teaching on the Environment commitment toas the official position of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That through our ongoing role as observers at the United Nations, we will continue to fully and completely "advocate for a fair, ambitious, and binding climate treaty,” make every effort to fully and completely and participate in future meetings of the United NationsConference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as an active, faithful and engaged voice for all of God's good earth; and be it further

Resolved, That as individuals and communities of faith, theThe Episcopal Church set an example, in the spirit of the Paris Climate Accord, by making intentional decisions about living lightly and gently on God’s good earth, for example, through energy conservation, renewable energy, sustainable food practices, gardening, sustainable coffee hours in parishes (considering the carbon footprint, resourcing, health consequences, and waste streams of materials, locations) and gardening; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, parishescommunities of faith and individuals making commitmentcommitting to the Paris Climate Accord consider reporting on their commitments, actions and successes to the Executive CouncilAdvisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #102)