WCC among “movers and doers” at UN Climate Ambition Summit

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is among the “movers and doers” at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York on 20 September. WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm commented on the summit, the first-ever of its kind designed to accelerate action by governments, business, finance, local authorities, and civil society.

“The latest scientific assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has once again highlighted the urgency to act,” said Bedford-Strohm. “The damage from the climate crisis is already extensive, and global greenhouse gas emissions remain at record levels.”

The Climate Ambition Summit is drawing together people from around the world demanding immediate and deep reductions in emissions now.

“Populations that are the least responsible for the climate crisis are already suffering from its impacts and need immediate help to adapt and recover from loss and damage,” said Bedford-Strohm. “This is an issue of equity and climate justice which requires immediate attention from governments and international financial institutions.”

The summit represents a critical political milestone for demonstrating that there is collective global will to accelerate the pace and scale of a just transition to a more equitable, renewable-energy based, climate-resilient global economy.

WCC 11th Assembly statement: "The Living Planet: Seeking a Just and Sustainable Global Community"