Diocese to disinvest from fossil fuels

The Diocese of Oxford voted to disinvest from fossil fuel companies at its Diocesan Synod on 15 November - and called upon the Church of England as a whole to take this step. The Synod passed the resolution with a majority of 52 in favour, 37 against, and seven abstentions.

As well as pledging to divest from fossil fuels, the Diocese has also committed to explore opportunities for reinvestment in clean energy alternatives. The resolution was brought forward by Revd Darrell Hannah, Rector from All Saints Church in Ascot Heath and an Operation Noah trustee.

It was accompanied by two supporting motions from Bracknell and Cowley Deaneries. Speaking after the debate he said: "I'm overjoyed.

We had a good debate with good points on both sides.

People recognise the ambiguities of the issue, the importance of the issue, the urgency of the moment, and I'm very pleased the vote went the way it did.

Oxford Diocese, true to its history, is challenging the Church of England as a whole to take seriously the threat of climate change and what we as Christians do about it."The motion also called upon the General Synod (the Church of England's Parliament) to debate a similar motion on disinvestment.

If there is sufficient support, the motion will be considered by a future meeting of the General Synod. Responding to the vote, the Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, Acting Bishop of Oxford, said: "The debate was lively but good tempered, and we heard a range of contributions from the different ends of the spectrum on this this important issue.

Now we look forward to it coming onto the General Synod's agenda."An amendment brought by the Chair of the Board of Finance was defeated (38 for, 50 against, five abstentions and three spoiled papers). For background information, please see the background paper.

The motion reads: "That this Synod:(i) recognising the damage being done to the planet through theburning of fossil fuels;(ii) aware of the huge reserves held by gas, oil and coal extractionindustries;(iii) committing itself to taking seriously our Christian responsibility tocare for the planet ("the earth is the Lord's");(iv) acknowledging the financial responsibilities of the Church'snational investing bodies;(v) noting that a review of recommended ethical investment policywith regard to climate change has been begun by the Church ofEngland Ethical Investment Advisory Group ('EIAG')calls on the General Synod of the Church of England to debate a motionin the following form:'That this Synod:(a) urges the National Investing Bodies to disinvest from all coalcompanies (except those investing in carbon capture) and tarsand companies at the earliest opportunity,(b) urges the National Investing Bodies to examine the possibilityof disinvestment from oil companies but not before three yearsfrom now,(c) urges the National Investing Bodies to examine the possibilityof disinvestment from natural gas companies but not before fiveyears from now,(d) calls on parishes and individual Christians to take steps toencourage the government and political parties to act quicklyon climate change. ' "