Feature story
The session was attended by over 400 people - participants explored how and why churches are engaging with their banks on this issue.
Pioneering the implementation of WCC’s initiative Hope for Children Through Climate Justice, an OECD complaint was submitted through the UK National Contact Point under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct by Methodist Church of Colombia, Methodist Church of Great Britain, Methodist Church in Ireland, Epworth Investment Management Ltd, and CEPALC (Ecumenical Centre for Communication in Latin America) on 5 June. The complaint raises concerns about the role of financing in supporting activities linked to environmental harm, displacement of communities, water scarcity, and health impacts associated with the Cerrejón mine in Colombia.
Andrew Harper, deputy chief executive and chief responsibility officer at Epworth Investment Management, reflected on how we see expressions of financial injustice across history—and the results are egregious, including the climate crisis, genocide, and other forms of violence. He emphasized the importance of sharing the stories of people affected with those financing the causes of harm.
“Until it’s their lived reality, they’re not going to get it, so we have to bring that reality to them,” he said.
Clare Fussell, campaign director at Operation Noah, who moderated the discussion, noted that it’s a powerful call. “We all have a stake, and we are all complicit if we aren’t actively moving our finances out of this sort of activity,” she said.
Hamish Leese, director of Environmental Engagement for the Methodist Church in Great Britain, spoke on why Christians care about the climate crisis.
“It is a crisis for God’s creation and it’s a fundamental injustice, so we hear all throughout the Bible,” he said.
Rosie Venner, director of Movement Building at JustMoney Movement, said the movement toward financial justice is stronger and more diverse than ever.
“We’ve seen charities like Christian Aid and ActionAid leaving banks for ethical reasons and talking about that,” she said. “People’s knowledge and attention to the issues is really deepening.”
The speakers invited everyone who cares about climate justice to sign the open letter backing the OECD complaint. Signed by World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and sent to HSBC, the letter expresses solidarity with communities affected by the Cerrejón coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia, and calls for accountability in the financial sector regarding environmental, human rights, and climate impacts.
As a première, the new song “The Path of Justice” was performed live by the “Climate Choir” during this session, encouraging churches to hold accountable those who continue financing the root-causes of the climate emergency.
The World Council of Churches is inviting churches, ecumenical partners, and faith-based organizations worldwide to support an open letter backing an OECD complaint submitted by Methodist churches in Colombia, Great Britain, Ireland, and partners concerning HSBC’s financial relationship with Glencore and the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia. Churches, ecumenical partners, and other organizations wishing to endorse the initiative are invited to sign the Open letter here.
Learn more about the Churches’ Commitments to Children and Climate-Responsible Banking
