Major religions announce steps to tackle climate change

UNITED NATIONS: Nine of the world’s major religions have announced, concrete actions to tackle climate change at a summit organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the non-profit group Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and Prince Philip who hosted the unique gathering at his Windsor Castle home.

Representatives of the leading religious institutions committed to more than 30 ambitious multi-year plans across the nine-faiths designed to help religions reduce their carbon footprint, including re-directing investments into energy-efficient projects and greening their followers’ consumer preferences, a press statement issued by the UN said.

The Muslim, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Daoist, Hindu, Jewish, Shinto and Sikh faiths are among those participating.

‘The world’s faith communities are among the oldest and most enduring of institutions,’ said Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, speaking at the event.

‘You can establish green religious buildings. Invest ethically in sustainable products. Purchase only environmentally-friendly goods. You can set an example for the lifestyle of billions of people.’ Your practical commitments can encourage political leaders to act more courageously in protecting people and the planet,’ Mr Ban said.

‘Religions own up to eight percent of the world’s habitable land and five per cent of commercial forests, run or contribute to more than half of the world’s schools, account for up to seven percent of all global investments and offer moral and spiritual guidance to approximately 85 per cent of all people,’ said Olav Kjorven, assistant secretary-general and director of bureau for Development Policy, UNDP.

‘Their active engagement on climate change is crucial if we are to realise a greener future for our planet, and the United Nations is very proud to support what could spark the largest civil society movement in history.’

The Grand Mufti of Egypt, speaking on behalf of some 200 Muslim leaders and scholars from Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Indonesia, Senegal and Turkey, introduced an initiative which aims to green major Islamic cities.

The Jewish, Sikh and Hindu plans call for new faith-based eco-labelling systems, for food, building materials and energy.

All religions set out plans to introduce extensive environmental education programmes. With around half of the world’s schools associated with the faiths, the combined plans are targeting generational change on a global scale..... LINK