GPS News
OIL AND GAS
Church of England dumps all oil and gas investments
Church of England dumps all oil and gas investments
By Phil HAZLEWOOD
London (AFP) June 22, 2023

Campaigners on Thursday hailed a move by the Church of England to exclude all oil and gas majors from its investment portfolio because of climate concerns.

The body that manages the Church's 10.3-billion pounds ($13.1-billion) endowment fund excluded 20 companies from its list of financial assets two years ago.

It has now extended the ban to 11 more, including BP, ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies, after assessing that none was meeting the goals of the 2015 UN climate accord to tackle global warming.

"With the 2021 exclusions and those announced today, the Church Commissioners (for England) will have excluded all oil and gas majors," it said.

"The broader exclusion of all oil and gas exploration, production and refining companies will follow by the end of 2023."

The Church of England Pensions Board announced separately that it, too, would disinvest from fossil fuels.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, a former oil company executive who leads the worldwide Anglican Communion of affiliated churches, said Christians had "a duty to protect God's creation".

"Energy companies have a special responsibility to help us achieve the just transition to the low-carbon economy we need," he added.

"Some progress has been made, but not nearly enough. The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith -- both of which call us to work for climate justice."

First Church Estates Commissioner Alan Smith said the decision to divest "was not taken lightly" but energy majors had been too slow to act.

- Campaign -

The announcement came as the Church's national assembly, the General Synod, comprising hundreds of lay members and clergy, prepares to convene in early July.

In 2018, the body set a five-year strategy to invest in climate solutions, engage with high carbon-emitting companies, and disinvest from fossil fuel firms not aligned with the Paris accord.

The agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at "well below" 2.0 Celsius above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900 -- and 1.5C if possible.

The Church's National Investing Bodies are due to report back to the upcoming synod in York, northern England, on progress meeting the plan.

Last week, more than 200 clergy, including 10 bishops, sent an open letter to the commissioners and the pensions body calling for "fossil-free" pensions.

The 42 Church of England dioceses have their own investments but according to Operation Noah, a Christian climate charity, more than half have pledged to exclude those linked to fossil fuels.

Operation Noah chair Darrell Hannah said Thursday's announcement "should send shockwaves around the world".

Hannah said it should show that oil and gas majors "are not operating in good faith and not preparing for the global transition to renewable energy".

"We trust that today's announcement... will encourage many others to divest from fossil fuels and invest in climate solutions," he added.

- 'Lost faith' -

Oil and gas majors have been frequent targets for climate activists for not doing enough to move from polluting fossil fuels towards cleaner alternatives such as renewables.

Energy giants have been accused of stalling on their commitments because of strong demand for fossil fuels, which has given them bumper profits.

The Church of England Pensions Board in May joined other minority shareholders in voting against Shell's "green" transition plan, and called for more ambitious carbon-cutting targets.

Friends of the Earth's divestment campaigner Rianna Gargiulo said she hoped Thursday's announcement could spur institutional investors such as local councils, pension funds and universities to follow suit.

Greenpeace called it a "moment of moral reckoning" for other investors and the government.

"After years of trying to change these companies from within, the Church of England has clearly lost faith in Shell and other oil giants' ability to redeem themselves," it added.

phz/rfj/lth

Shell

BP

TotalEnergies

Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
OIL AND GAS
US county sues oil companies for $51 bn over 'Heat Dome' disaster
Washington (AFP) June 22, 2023
A county in the northwestern state of Oregon on Thursday filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies seeking more than $51 billion over the 2021 "Heat Dome," one of the United States' deadliest weather-related disasters. Multnomah County, which encompasses the state's most populous city Portland, said combined historic carbon pollution from use of the companies' products - and their decision to mislead the public about their impacts - was a big factor in exacerbating the heat wave. "Th ... read more

OIL AND GAS
NASA, Department of Agriculture Advance Exploration, Science

Smart farming platform improves crop yields, minimizes pollution

US approves lab-grown chicken for sale

Shock to the crop system

OIL AND GAS
AI chip giant Nvidia 'extremely likely' to invest in Europe

Combining twistronics with spintronics could be the next giant leap in quantum electronics

Foxconn, Stellantis form joint venture to make car chips

Intel to invest up to $4.6 bn in new Poland chip site

OIL AND GAS
City buildings could blow air taxi future off course

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific forecasts first-half profit

European airlines hit by 'greenwashing' complaint

X-57 project creates paths toward electric aviation

OIL AND GAS
Strange bedfellows: auto rivals embrace Tesla EV chargers

VW eyes sales growth powered by US, China

European leaders host Musk, chase Tesla investment

GM reaches deal for access to Tesla's North American chargers

OIL AND GAS
French luxury brand tycoon Bernard Arnault in China

Most markets rise but wary eyes on Fed, Russia

HSBC says to shift HQ to London finance district

China's top diplomat says new law to counter foreign 'bullying'

OIL AND GAS
Green growth in Amazon would bring Brazil billions: study

Latin America bank eyes finance 'umbrella' role for Amazon rainforest

With bows and spears, Indigenous 'warriors' defend the Amazon

Brazilian Amazon deforestation falls 31% under Lula

OIL AND GAS
New Space companies join Copernicus

Innovation and investment propel Earth Observation industry to new heights

Muon Space satellite test paves way for climate constellation

ICEYE's four satellites launch with SpaceX's Transporter-8, introducing high-resolution spot fine image product

OIL AND GAS
Single-molecule valve: a breakthrough in nanoscale control

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.