UK faith leaders urge Andy Burnham to act on climate change

Andy Burnham - official portrait - Wiki Image

Source: CAFOD

Faith leaders from the Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and Anglican faiths in the UK have written to Andy Burnham MP, calling on him to prioritise action on climate and nature as he takes up his role as the new Prime Minister.

At a panel event by faith leaders during London Climate Action Week, Climate Minister Katie White listened and responded to the leaders and commended faith communities for continuing to make action on climate a priority.

The letter has been coordinated by CAFOD, Christian Aid, EcoJudaism and Islamic Relief, working together. Building on a year of collective engagement with Ministers and officials in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, it urges Mr Burnham to put climate and nature at the heart of his government's mission, suggesting seven steps, as follows:

- Make climate and nature central to national renewal, with every department accountable for delivery.

- Accelerate the transition to clean, affordable energy, measured not by policies announced, but by emissions cut, homes improved and bills brought down.

- Restore nature at scale, so future generations inherit a richer natural environment than we do today.

- Deliver a just transition, so no worker, farmer or community is left behind.

- Make polluters pay, from sewage in our rivers to emissions from major industries.

- Lead internationally with integrity, honouring our commitments and supporting the poorest countries facing the worst impacts.

- Deliver a strong G20 Presidency, by taking action on debt, tax and illicit financial flows enabling greater finance for Global South countries for sustainable development and climate.

The care and future of our natural world is a concern shared by members of all Abrahamic faiths, and the leaders look forward to deepening their engagement with Mr Burnham's government on an issue which is central to the millions of people of faith in the UK and around the world.

Signatories:

Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Lead Bishop for the Environment in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and Church of England lead bishop for the environment
Rabbi Jonathan Witternberg OBE, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum

The full letter text follows:

Dear Mr. Burnham,

As you take office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, we write to offer our congratulations and our prayers - and our commitment to work alongside you in service of the common good.

Few decisions of your premiership will matter more to future generations than those concerning our climate and the natural world. On this, our different faith traditions speak with one voice.

Your own Catholic faith has long emphasised this responsibility. Pope Francis reminded the world that "everything is connected" - that care for creation cannot be separated from concern for human dignity, poverty and the common good. That insight resonates across all our traditions.

The climate and nature crises are already harming our national security, our economy and our health. But it is also an extraordinary opportunity: cleaner, cheaper energy, thriving landscapes, healthier communities and good green jobs. We urge you to put climate and nature at the heart of your government's mission, and specifically to:

1. Make climate and nature central to national renewal, with every department accountable for delivery.

2. Accelerate the transition to clean, affordable energy, measured not by policies announced, but by

emissions cut, homes improved and bills brought down.

3.Restore nature at scale, so future generations inherit a richer natural environment than we do today.

4. Deliver a just transition, so no worker, farmer or community is left behind.

5. Make polluters pay, from sewage in our rivers to emissions from major industries.

6. Lead internationally with integrity, honouring our commitments and supporting the poorest countries
facing the worst impacts.

7. Deliver a strong G20 Presidency, by taking action on debt, tax and illicit financial flows enabling greater
finance for Global South countries for sustainable development and climate.

Together, our faith communities represent millions of people who care deeply for God's creation. We offer moral leadership, trusted voices and action in every community in the country. We stand ready to help you mobilise the nation.

Following encouraging meetings with Minister White and officials at DESNZ, we would welcome an early meeting with you and senior ministers to take these discussions forward.

History will judge our generation not by the challenges we inherited, but by the courage of our response. Be assured of our prayers and support as you take up the responsibilities entrusted to you.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and Church of England lead bishop for the environment
Rabbi Jonathan Witternberg OBE, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism
Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Lead Bishop for the Environment in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum