WCC NEWS: WCC signs “2050Today Charter” climate plan with other Geneva-based organizations

On 5 December, the World Council of Churches (WCC) signed a “2050Today” charter that commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Geneva-based 2025Today is a climate action forum where institutions of Geneva come together and commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. 23 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: Members of the Finance Committee of the WCC central committee visit the Green Village project during the World Council of Churches central committee, which gathers in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023, for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 06 December 2023 The charter asks all institutions to act towards a carbon-free environment and requires them to fulfil five commitments, including measuring the carbon footprint of their activities; carrying out an initial assessment of their situation on one or possibly more sustainability sectors; defining and implementing an action plan; sharing the action plan with 2050Today; and communicating their climate action. Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation, offered remarks at the signing ceremony, and WCC finance director Stylianos Pappas attended the ceremony on behalf of the WCC.  “The WCC has been reflecting on sustainability in relation to poverty since the early 1970s, long before the concept gained currency in international politics and business,” said Nalwamba. The WCC participated in the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and in the first Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1995.  “Since then, WCC has attended every COP event, advocating for climate justice and support for poor and vulnerable countries and communities who are least responsible for the climate crisis but suffer its worst effects,” said Nalwamba.  Reconciliation expresses itself in concrete actions, Nalwamba continued. “The WCC has produced several resources for our member churches to continue to nurture a care-for-creation ethos,” she said. “”Our shared sustainable principles within Geneva, and across the world are cumulative and will take effect quicker only as we combine our efforts.” Nalwamba  concluded “A case in point is our real estate project in Geneva called “Green Village”, The Green Village, the first Geneva property development with the "One Planet Living" (OPL) label will positively impact greenhouse gas emissions by implementing a range of environmentally friendly practices.” “ Initiated by the WCC, Green Village will provide six new buildings in the municipality of Le Grand-Saconnex, arranged around the Ecumenical Centre, WCC’s historic listed building. Each building will symbolically bear the name of a key international treaty in sustainable development: Kyoto, Montreal, Rio, Lima, Durban and Stockholm.” WCC at COP28 Green Village See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland