Members of the Church of Scotland have opted not to end investment in fossil fuels, despite recognising a climate emergency
Church delegates have attracted criticism after failing to ditch investments in fossil fuels.
A motion by the Church of Scotland to disinvest from oil and gas companies by 2020 was narrowly defeated at the church’s General Assembly this week.
Despite voting to “recognise and affirm the declarations of the Scottish Government, UK parliament and others that we are experiencing a climate and ecological emergency”, a counter-motion to stop fossil fuel investments was defeated by 303 votes to 263.
The church has faced criticism for the decision, with environmental campaigners questioning its commitment to fighting climate change.
A significant block of general assembly members spent the afternoon registering their unhappiness with the majority position, including the outgoing moderator the Very Rev Susan Brown.
Ric Lander, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “It seems to me that the Church of Scotland Investors’ Trust have been taken in by a deeply cynical public relations effort by big oil, designed to waste the precious time of public spirited investors.”
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said: “I love my church but today I’m ashamed. After East African guests told the assembly that the climate crisis is literally killing their communities and at the same time as the kirk itself demands more action from governments, our delegates wouldn’t take the painless step of divesting from fossil fuels.
“The kirk had the opportunity to join others, including Glasgow and Edinburgh universities, New York city and many other churches in divesting. Instead, once again, we’re left talking tough but failing to take the most basic action.”
In October of last year, The Church of Scotland sent an open letter to the chairmen of three oil companies asking them to align their business plans with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Christian Aid Scotland and Eco Congregation Scotland joined the church in calling on BP, Shell and Total to make the radical changes needed to keep global warming as far below 2 °C as possible.
