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Climate justice pilgrimages have been promoted by the churches in Germany since 2015. Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC

Climate justice pilgrimages have been promoted by the churches in Germany since 2015. Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC

"The Synod advocates a swift exit from coal-fired power generation (lignite and hard coal), which complies with the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and contributes to achieving the German climate targets as soon as possible”, reads a statement released by the 12thSynod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), on 14 November.

“In the short term, half of the coal-fired power plants, primarily the oldest and most inefficient, have to be taken off the grid", the text states.

In the decision, the Synod demands a socially acceptable structural change that opens up perspectives for the regions concerned. The churches also want to actively participate. A socially acceptable and supply-safe coal exit is necessary and possible by 2035 at the latest.

"The longer the beginning of the structural change is delayed, the greater the danger that the climate goals will be missed and there will be socially incompatible structural breaks,” reads the statement.

The news from Synod, convened in Würzburg 11-14 November, was warmly welcomed by ecumenical climate pilgrims who are walking from Frankfurt towards Potsdam and Berlin to advocate for climate justice as part of preparations for the upcoming 24thUnited Nations climate change conference, 3-14 December, in Katowice, Poland.

Read the full text of the decision

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