Methodists help persuade Cardiff Council to end the fossil fuel era

A campaign involving Cardiff Methodist Circuit to encourage Cardiff Councill to sign up to a Fossil Fuel non-proliferation treaty has been successful.  

The circuit has been campaigning along with other Eco churches in Cardiff from the United Reformed Church and Church in Wales and has also been working with local councillors, Climate Cymru and Global Justice Now.

On Thursday 26th March Cardiff Council decided by a majority of 53-8 to approve the global call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, a landmark initiative aimed at phasing out fossil fuels worldwide.

Methodist members met with councillors, wrote letters and prayed. Junior church members got involved, sending messages and pictures to the local councillors and making 'Cymru cares' lanterns.

Cardiff now joins a growing international coalition of cities, organisations, parliamentarians and national governments, faith organisations and individuals supporting the treaty proposal. This includes London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, 45 UK parliamentarians, the European Parliament, and 18 countries such as Colombia and Pakistan.

"We were delighted that Cardiff Council took the bold step and voted to endorse and sign up to the treaty!", says Sarah Charlesworth, Cardiff Methodist Circuit Eco church representative. "Representatives from Methodist, URC and Church in Wales went along to the council meeting together as Cardiff Eco Churches to the support the vote. Cardiff Council is the first council in Wales to endorse the treaty."

Fossil fuels remain the largest driver of climate change, responsible for an estimated 86% of carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade, according to the IPCC. The International Energy Agency has also stated that expanding fossil fuel production is incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The motion, tabled by Labour party Councillor Bethan Proctor, had support from local groups including Cardiff Eco Churches and Climate Cymru and the national organisation Global Justice Now. Cardiff Eco churches is an ecumenical network of local churches committed to environmental stewardship and climate justice through the Arocha UK Eco Church scheme. The group sees the agreement as an opportunity for Wales to demonstrate climate leadership and contribute to a more sustainable and equal future.

By adopting it, Cardiff Council formally approved the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty’s core objectives:

● Delivering a just global transition away from fossil fuels, ensuring no worker, community or country is left behind

● Preventing new coal, oil and gas developments

● Ensuring a fair phase-out of existing fossil fuel production

The council has also committed to writing to the Welsh Government, urging then to endorse the treaty as part of its international climate commitments.