Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, recognizing the challenge of global warming and our need to do our part in reducing carbon emissions, directs appropriate staff of the Office of the Treasurer and Advocacy Center to obtain bids to calculate our “carbon footprint;” and be it further

Resolved, That this examination should include the full range of church operations, including the Episcopal Church Center and its regional offices and program operations, the Executive Council, the General Convention and all CCABs and all travel involved in the operations of the national Church; and be it further

Resolved, That these bids also include what it would cost to reduce carbon emissions by at least 15-20 percent by the year 2020 (or sooner), and at least 80 percent by the year 2050 (or sooner), including strategies of behavioral and technological changes, and carbon offsets, as well as a clear understanding of the short term costs/savings and long term costs/savings; and be it further

Resolved, That Council encourage the Church Pension Group, as part of its recent endorsement of Church policy on environmental sustainability and its planned evaluation of business practices for improved environmental impact, to join in a coordinated determination of its current carbon footprint and in setting carbon reduction goals, so that we might provide a model to share with dioceses interested in setting such goals for themselves; and be it further

Resolved, That the House of Bishops be encouraged to ask its Theology Committee, in consultation with knowledgeable Episcopalians, to issue a pastoral letter on global warming including its adverse effect on vulnerable populations, both domestically and abroad, that would provide the spiritual and ethical grounds for our collective response to these; and be it further

Resolved, That Council commends the Presiding Bishop for her commitment to environmental justice and global warming stewardship, and gratefully acknowledges all those working in the church who have helped organize our ministry and witness through environmental stewardship initiatives, domestic policy analysis, and corporate responsibility; and be it further

Resolved, That because the challenge of global warming cannot be met without a national policy, we support federal legislation that will achieve a 15-20 percent reduction in U.S. carbon emissions by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction in U.S. carbon emissions by 2050; and be it further

Resolved, That we are ever mindful that the burden of achieving these reductions must be borne equitably by all those around the world who contribute to the problem and not at the expense of the most vulnerable, who have little to do with causing the problem and are least able to cope with it.