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Operation Noah welcomes Church of England decision to set 2030 net zero target

By agency reporter
February 12, 2020

Operation Noah says it "joyfully welcomes the outcome of the Church of England General Synod debate on the climate emergency and carbon reduction target."

General Synod members have voted by 144 votes to 129 to support an amendment from the Rev Canon Prof Martin Gainsborough, Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol, to set a net zero emissions target of 2030. The motion proposed by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Church of England's lead Bishop on the Environment, recognised the climate emergency and recommended a net zero emissions target of 2045, which would replace the previous goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. A majority of General Synod members agreed that the 2045 target was too late, and voted to support the 2030 target.

The 2030 net zero target will apply to all Church of England parishes, Bishops' Mission Orders (BMOs), education institutions, dioceses and the National Church Institutions (NCIs).

On the morning of the debate, Christian Climate Action organised a memorial service outside Church House for all the children around the world who have already lost their lives in the climate emergency, and to pray for the General Synod members involved in the debate.

Operation Noah was set up in 2004 to work with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis. From its inception, its vision has been for the UK to become a zero-carbon economy by 2030.

The Rev Dr Darrell Hannah, Vice Chair of Operation Noah, said: "It is wonderful news that the Church of England has set a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030. This demonstrates prophetic leadership in response to the climate emergency and reflects the urgency of the change we need to see. We offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all the General Synod members who made this happen."

* Operation Noah is a Christian charity working with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis. It works with all Christian denominations. http://operationnoah.org/

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