Tag Archives: Just Transition

Join us to pray, share and act

By Aberdeen, Award, CoP26, News, , , , , , ,

We appreciate this is a challenging time for many across all churches and communities due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are delighted to share good news over coming weeks from local eco-congregations, this weekend celebrating Eco-Congregation Scotland Award success in Aberdeenshire.

We value the excellent participation of so many volunteers and supporters in recent interfaith events and a range of meetings as we look forward to welcoming the COP26 climate conference to Scotland next November. We invite you to join a wide variety of online events and activities through the remainder of this November.

Thank you for all your efforts and continuing support as we pray, share and act together, caring for our common home.

Today we acknowledge the wonderful work of Inverurie West Parish Church. Congratulations to enthusiastic environmental team leader Joy Doorghen and all at Inverurie West on achieving our Silver Award recognising their commitment to caring for creation. You can read more about their Silver success on our website. 

We will share more Award success stories in coming weeks and encourage every eco-congregation to apply, affirming your church’s environmental activities through online assessment. You are also welcome to join Inverurie West and our Eco-Chaplain this Sunday for a live at home service on the Church website and YouTube.

Inverurie West Parish Church service
Sunday 22nd November 2020
11.00am
Website http://www.inveruriewestchurch.org/westcast.html
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_eaGG76yKpRzSAhvOLleLQ

Many Christians mark this Sunday as the feast of Christ the King. Eco-Chaplain Rev David Coleman will be reflecting on Matthew 25:31-46:
“A masterpiece of ‘end-time’ writing, the ‘sheep and the goats’ is perfectly directed at those who look to God for hope in a time of global crisis.”

Service of Prayer for Climate Justice
Sunday 22nd November 2020
2.00pm – 3.00pm
https://prayerforclimatejustice.eventbrite.co.uk

Join a service of prayer, reflection and action on climate justice organised by Christian Aid, Tearfund, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, CAFOD, Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, European Christian Environmental Network and other friends around the world. Look ahead to COP26 next November and reflect on our push for more ambitious climate action in the coming year. Register now and commit to joining in prayer and action through 2021 with the Prayer Chain for Climate Justice.

Out of Africa…Into Malta
Monday 23rd November 2020
7.30pm – 8.30pm
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/outofafricaintomalta/

Hear about the varied work of Out Of Africa…Into Malta as it aims to relieve humanitarian need and provide hope to a displaced people. Rev Doug McRoberts, former minister of St Andrew’s Scots Church in Malta, will share how the project founded in 2010 grew from offering prayers and second-hand clothes to becoming a major life-changing presence, partnering with the Red Cross and becoming a Church of Scotland Guild Partner Project.

Just Transition: a fairer, greener Scotland
Wednesday 25th November 2020
9.00am – 11.00am
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-transition-a-fairer-greener-scotland-tickets-128768970457

Just Transition Commission members will share some of the emerging themes from their work to date, ahead of delivering their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers in early 2021. This will be your opportunity to explore and discuss their findings, and the solutions proposed to deliver a just transition in Scotland. The Commission was set up last year to give practical advice on how Scotland can meet ambitious climate change targets in a way that is fair for all.

Trees, Community & Climate
Thursday 26th November 2020
4.00pm – 5.00pm
https://climatefringe.org/sccs-live-events/

Chaired by Kat Jones of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, join Alan McDonnell of Trees for Life, Veronique Walraven of Morvern Community Woodlands and Madagascar-based Bangor University research fellow Sarobidy Rakotonarivo to explore how forest conservation and woodland restoration can best deliver climate mitigation, the co-benefits that arise and the role of local communities in delivering them.

Climate Challenge Fund Gathering and film event
Thursday 26th November 2020
9.00am – 4.00pm Gathering 2020 Programme
7.00pm – 9.00pm Evening Film and Discussion
https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccfgathering

The Climate Challenge Fund Gathering provides opportunities to learn, network and share experience on tackling climate change, bringing together over 200 CCF Grant recipients and local community-led groups including churches and faith projects. The evening will explore how community film nights can get people thinking about climate change, followed by the opportunity to watch and discuss a challenging film. Find out more and book Gathering and film tickets here.

Financing Climate Justice
Monday 30th November 2020
12.00noon – 1.00pm
https://climatefringe.org/sccs-live-events/

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and Jubilee Scotland report ‘Financing Climate Justice’ outlines the need for increased climate finance to global south countries hit hard by climate change and Scotland’s role in creating such change. Hear from International Centre for Climate Change and Development director Saleemul Huq, Anne Funnemark of Jubilee Scotland and Loss and Damage Youth Coalition co-founder, activist and researcher Sadie De Coste.

Let’s talk about the climate emergency – Our Global Connections
Monday 30th November 2020
7.30pm – 8.30pm
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/ourglobalconnections/

The November theme in our “Let’s talk about the climate emergency” resources is Our Global Connections. How we live has a direct impact on climate change and the lives of others. Join us to talk, pray and reflect on thoughts about Our Global Connections to ensure a fairer world for current and future generations. Please register here.

This Sunday 22nd November, please join us and Christians across Scotland in prayer at 7.00pm.

Good Shepherd,
Speak once more to our hearts
And offer us vision and hope for days to come.
Go before us Shepherd King
And lead us into the future that you hold in your hands.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us

Caring for Creation

By Aberdeen, CoP26, East-Lothian, Edinburgh, Glasgow, News, West-Lothian, , , , ,

Climate action, discussion and prayer

Eco-Congregation Scotland is inviting church volunteers in our Local Networks and supporters across the country to our online events and activities over the next fortnight. We are also pleased to share partner organisation events including the Prayer Service for Climate Justice and Just Transition Commission update.

A Sanctuary for Swifts
Monday 16th November 2020
7.30pm – 8.30pm
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/a-sanctuary-for-swifts/

Swifts are ancient and fascinating birds. Sadly their populations are on the decline and are now regarded as Amber conservation status. RSPB Scotland is encouraging Edinburgh as a place of sanctuary for these amazing birds – with support from the Scottish Power Foundation – and looking for churches to host swift nesting boxes. We will also hear from Huntly & District Swift Group, working hard to protect these wonderful birds in their local area. Wherever you live in Scotland, come and find out more about these amazing birds and the work being done to care for them.

The Big Debate – Politics & the Climate Emergency
Wednesday 18th November 2020
5.20pm – 7.20pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-climate-debate-politics-the-climate-emergency-online-tickets-126416351711

Hosted by ELREC (Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council), hear political parties’ proposals to tackle the climate emergency and questions answered by Sarah Boyack MSP, Deidre Brock MP, Finlay Carson MSP, Alison Johnstone MSP and Christine Jardine MP. Please email potential questions for selection before the event on themes: energy, transport, waste, food, governance/politics and finance.

Sacred People, Sacred Earth Kickoff – Anglophone Africa and the UK
Wednesday 18th November 2020
6.00pm – 7.00pm
https://actionnetwork.org/events/greenfaith-international-launch-day-of-action-anglophone-africa-and-the-uk

In a series of TEDxCountdown multi-faith events around the world, join UK hosts Faith for the Climate, Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI), GreenFaith Nigeria, GreenFaith Kenya, and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. GreenFaith International Network founding partners plan a global, COVID-friendly, multi-faith day of climate action on 11 March 2021. The launch of spoken word, music, prayers and dynamic speakers will share bold demands that grassroots faith communities have developed and provide opportunities for diverse faiths to get involved.

Spaces for Change – Community Venues & COP26
Wednesday 18th November 2020
6.00pm – 7.30pm
https://climatefringe.org/glasgow-venues-cop26/

We are encouraging Scotland’s churches, faith groups and local communities to offer hospitality and welcome for COP26 next year. Join this Climate Fringe gathering if you are interested in hosting events during COP26 or just want to find out more about opening your doors as a church, hall or local venue. Speakers at this meeting will take us through what we can expect, sharing previous COP experiences.

Faith and civil society groups from all over the world will need space for meeting, holding events and floor space for sleeping. This meeting is for those who manage venues, large or small, within an hour’s commute from Glasgow including places of worship and community halls or any group that has a meeting room that can be booked externally.

Prayer Service for Climate Justice
Sunday 22nd November 2020
2.00pm – 3.00pm
https://prayerforclimatejustice.eventbrite.co.uk

Join a service of prayer, reflection and action on climate justice organised by Christian Aid, Tearfund, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, CAFOD, Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, European Christian Environmental Network and other friends around the world. Marking the original COP26 dates, we look ahead to next November and reflect on our push for more ambitious climate action in the coming year. Register now for joining details and commit to joining in prayer and action through 2021 with the Prayer Chain for Climate Justice.

The Global Compact on Refugees, adopted by an overwhelming majority at the UN General Assembly in December 2018, directly recognises that ‘climate, environmental degradation and natural disasters increasingly interact with the drivers of refugee movements’.

Out of Africa…Into Africa
Monday 23rd November 2020
7.30pm – 8.30pm
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/outofafricaintomalta/

Hear about the varied work of Out Of Africa…Into Malta as it aims to relieve humanitarian need and provide hope to a displaced people. Rev Doug McRoberts, former minister of St Andrew’s Scots Church in Malta, will share how the project founded in 2010 grew from offering prayers and second-hand clothes to becoming a major life-changing presence, partnering with the Red Cross and becoming a Church of Scotland Guild Partner Project.

Just Transition: a fairer, greener Scotland
Wednesday 25th November 2020
9.00am – 11.00am
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-transition-a-fairer-greener-scotland-tickets-128768970457

At this online public event, members of the Just Transition Commission will share some of the emerging themes from their work to date, ahead of delivering their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers in early 2021. This will be your opportunity to explore and discuss their findings, and the solutions proposed to deliver a just transition in Scotland. The Commission was set up last year to give practical advice on how Scotland can meet ambitious climate change targets in a way that is fair for all.

Thanks to Anne Currie of Craigsbank Church Eco-Group in Edinburgh, sharing Autumn colours from Glencruitten, Oban.

This Sunday 15th November, please join Christians all over Scotland in prayer with Church leaders at 7pm.
Faithful God and giver of all good gifts,
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Swift photographs courtesy of RSPB images, David Naylor and Huntly & District Swift Group.)

Open event encouraging views on Just Transition for housing

By CoP26, News, Stirling, , ,

Just Transition Commission and Church groups team up to plan a socially inclusive path to net-zero for Scotland’s housing

Scotland’s Just Transition Commission, established to make recommendations to ministers on how Scotland can transition to a net-zero economy by 2045 in a way that is fair for all, has teamed up with the Methodist Church in Scotland and Eco-Congregation Scotland to host an online event on Saturday 17 October 2020, from 10am until 12.30pm.

Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets will require the housing sector to radically transform itself at a pace previously unseen. Making homes more energy efficient and heated from low carbon sources presents an opportunity to improve the quality of our housing stock, tackle fuel poverty and create jobs. Concerns have also been raised about how this is paid for, and whether the shift to net-zero in the housing sector could risk sliding more households into fuel poverty.

We have to find ways of meeting our climate targets which make lives better not worse for the least well off in our society.

Attendees to the open online discussion will hear speakers from the Just Transition Commission, Warmworks, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Existing Homes Alliance Scotland and Power Circle who will share their thoughts on how we can combine meeting our climate targets with improving energy affordability and lowering fuel poverty. Discussion will then open up to all participants, able to contribute their own ideas on how Scotland can reach net-zero emissions in housing.

Just Transition Commissioner, Norrie Kerr says: “We need to put an end to fuel poverty with bold action to make people’s homes warmer and cheaper to heat. Equity considerations must be central to climate action, if we are to make the transition to net-zero in a way that improves the lives of the most vulnerable. This event will provide an opportunity to hear from experts and ordinary people on these issues and contribute ideas on how Scotland can achieve this.”

Rev Mark Slaney, Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland, who will be chairing the event, said: “We have to find ways of meeting our climate targets which make lives better not worse for the least well off in our society. I look forward to an imaginative and stimulating discussion which will contribute both to the work of the Commission and to Scotland’s preparation for the COP26 climate summit next year.”

There is still time to register for this free event, pre-registration is highly recommended. Further information and registration can be found here: 

A Just Transition for Scotland’s Housing

This event has been arranged by Stirling Methodist Church and Eco-Congregation Scotland, in collaboration with the Just Transition Commission.

Presentations will focus on the key challenge: how do we combine meeting our climate targets with improving energy affordability and lowering fuel poverty?

Speakers:

Adrian Shaw, Church of Scotland climate change officer, will also outline how churches can meet the opportunities and challenges presented by Glasgow hosting the COP26 United Nations climate talks being held in November 2021.

Eco-Congregation Scotland will be encouraging all Scottish churches to become more focused on addressing the climate crisis over the coming year. Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical environmental charity supporting over 500 local churches of all denominations across Scotland, committed to environmental activities in their life and mission, with Stirling Methodist Church one of the most active eco-congregations.