The 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church held June 13-21, 2006
In Columbus, Ohio, adopted the following resolution on global warming.
Resolution---B002
Title:---Response to Global Warming
Topic:---Environment
Committee:---National and International Concerns
House of Initial Action: Bishops
Proposer: The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston (Massachusetts)
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention affirm that Global Warming threatens the future of God’s good creation, and the effects of Global Warming disproportionately hurt the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in the United States and around the world; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopalians and The Episcopal Church at every level support efforts that seek to reduce Global Warming, including national and international legislation that increase the supply of clean energy and reduce consumption of fossil fuels; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention commend the Executive Council and particularly its Socially Responsible Investment Committee (SRI) for the work they are now doing with the Global Warming Shareholder Campaign (GWSC), and the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) and the leadership they exercise as a member of the Interfaith center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR); and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention urge the Executive Council and its SRI to:
(a) use resources of The Episcopal Church, including its investments, to promote a sustainable global environment;
(b) seek by shareholder resolutions to change current policies and behaviors of those companies that are significant contributors to Global Warming, and if necessary, divest from those companies;
(c) call upon the expertise of Episcopalians who are closely connected with the GWSC to assist in this initiative;
(d) report the results of this initiative to Executive Council no later than its fall meeting in 2007.
EXPLANATION
This resolution acknowledges the impending catastrophe of Global Warming, empowers to Church to speak the truth to our political leadership and to advocate for sustainable energy programs and policies, and directs the Socially Responsible Investment Committee of Executive Council to identify those companies whose behavior regarding Global Warming is so egregious that it is or would be a violation of the Church's core beliefs to continue to own such stock.