At Synod this year we passed a resolution supporting this... but here is an opportunity for your faith community to take some action as well!

The Religious Diversity Centre has extended the deadline for endorsements to the Call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to the end of October. This is part of a request to join religious and spiritual leaders and communities around the world with an endorsement of the Call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (and not only a Treaty but a new alliance of leaders to manage the Treaty's outcomes: non-proliferation, a fair phase out, a just transition). See the Call here.

While we are asked to make changes in our personal lives in the face of the threats of climate change, and to meet targets as a nation, this is a call for action at international level - where the power lies to bring about change in the global economy - in the large corporations most affected by the transition to non-fossil fuel energy sources.

The plan is to present the Call with our endorsements to the Government - and the Government representatives to the UNCOP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai - before the conference begins on 30 November.

Please email your endorsement or any questions to admin@rdc.org.nz. A reminder of what the Call is about below:

Where did this Treaty Call start?

In March 2023 a bloc of Pacific nations, spearheaded by Vanuatu and Tuvalu, called for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would establish a global alliance to govern the end to fossil fuel expansion, an equitable phase out of fossil fuels, and a global just transition.

And the news was shared with us!

The third webinar in the Religious Diversity Centre’s webinar series ‘Building a Climate of Hope, E tū te mana o Te Ao’ offers a vivid picture of low-lying Pacific Island nations suffering hugely destructive direct climate change impacts. (https://rdc.org.nz/webinar-series-recordings/)

Dr. Roro Daniel of the Cook Islands spoke of local people responding in creative ways in the face of such destruction. Mary Moeono-Kolio of the Pacific Climate Warriors told us about that decision of the political leaders at their Ministerial Dialogue in Port Vila, and urged us to support their call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Endorsing the Treaty Call

You can endorse this Treaty Call by emailing the Religious Diversity Centre at admin@rdc.org.nz by 31 October with your name, position and the name of your community or group and whether you are endorsing it on behalf of your organisation. In early November we will send our local list to the global list of signatories.

The Religious Diversity Centre Climate Action Work Group thinks it is critical for Aoteara NZ's representatives at this year's UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, to support the Treaty Call. So we are asking you to join us in endorsing the Treaty Call and petitioning our COP28 delegation.