Local transformation and global action
Ambition for COP26
Eco-Congregation Scotland is encouraging churches to consider local transformation addressing the climate crisis, supported by the new Community Climate Asset Fund – and global engagement by our volunteers as we build towards next year’s COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, supporting action by all faiths, wider civil society and governments.
Community Climate Asset Fund
Tuesday 3rd November 2020
11.00am – 12.00noon
https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/events/keep-scotland-beautiful/community-climate-asset-fund-webinar-3-november/
Please join Eco-Congregation volunteers at the third and final Keep Scotland Beautiful webinar on the Community Climate Asset Fund (CCAF), providing £3.5 million Scottish Government funding for local churches and other community-based organisations to tackle climate change.
The aim is to reduce usage of petrol and diesel cars, cut waste, grow local food and decrease emissions from community buildings. Fundable items include electric vehicles, bikes, energy efficiency measures in community buildings, polytunnels and raised beds, community fridges, tools or repair equipment and wood fuel equipment.
Grants range between a minimum of £1,000 and maximum of £100,000. Match funding is required for grants over £10,000. The application deadline is Monday 9th November 2020 at noon, but early submission is encouraged as funding will be allocated to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccaf
COP26 – Ramp up ambition!
Tuesday 3rd November 2020
4.00pm – 6.00pm
Register here
Join the second of three global sessions organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) – organisers of COP26 – bringing together representatives from the scientific, policy and faith communities engaged in climate change. This open discussion on the agenda for COP26 and what this means for climate action now includes panelists:
- Sarmad Iqbal, Islamic Relief Worldwide (Pakistan)
- Neil Thorns, The Climate Coalition chair and CAFOD advocacy director (England)
- Professor Joyashree Roy, Bangabandhu Chair Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology and IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) author (Thailand)
- Moema de Miranda, lay Franciscans and Iglesias y Minería (Churches and Mining Network) (Brazil)
- Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary (Germany)
Bonn-based Lindsey Fielder Cook, Quaker United Nations Office Representative for Climate Change, is moderator for the meeting which is hosted by the Lutheran World Federation.
This webinar will discuss what needs to be on the agenda of COP26 and what does it mean for climate action now. The postponement of COP26 creates a challenge to keeping up the tempo on climate action. States’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are not even close to ensuring global temperature rise remains below 2°C, let alone the necessary 1.5°C.
Inaction from governments is no longer an option. 2020 is the year when the greenhouse gas emissions curve must begin to fall in order to have a chance of attaining the Paris Agreement goals. Climate actions undertaken by states must contain a mechanism to compensate for loss and damage. Finance, technology transfer and capacity building for adaptation must be made available to least developed and climate vulnerable countries. COVID-19 has shown the world that there is finance available to respond to an emergency. The climate emergency needs to be met with the same determination. There is no real alternative – continuing to stall action will eventually lead to catastrophic loss and damage.
Thoughts for Sunday 1st November for Crown Church Inverness from Rev David Coleman on harvest and the work of Eco-Congregation Scotland: https://fb.watch/1tmUFLRwXQ/
We are again encouraging Christians across the country to join Church leaders in ecumenical prayer at 7pm this Sunday.
Our Eco-Chaplain also has his own take on Halloween!