COP26 took place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow from 1st – 12th November 2021. Leaders and environmental organisations from across the globe discussed urgent actions to address the climate crisis.
In recognition of this, Interfaith Scotland announced a ‘Year of Climate Action‘ in 2021. Protecting the environment is a key message in the scriptures of all faith traditions including:
- The careful and responsible protection and preservation of the earth’s resources
- Respect for all life and the recognition that we are all interconnected
- Avoiding over consumption by taking the needs of all lives – human, animals and plants – into account
A number of resources on the theme of faith and the environment can be found below, including those produced by Interfaith Scotland and those of other organisations.
Interfaith Scotland resources
Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26
Scottish and UK religious leaders signed a declaration calling on governments to take transformational climate action at COP26. More than 50 religious leaders signed the Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration which calls for those in power to put the 2015 Paris Agreement into effect. Read in detail.
Scriptural Quotes and Sayings from Faith and Belief communities on protecting the Environment
In the document below are quotes from some faith and belief communities scriptures and sayings about protecting the environment
A Briefing for Faith Communities on COP26
In this handy briefing paper below you can find out more about COP26, why it’s important, who is involved and an overview of activities and campaigns.
Scottish Religious Leaders Statement of Commitment
The Scottish Religious Leaders Forum issued a statement of commitment to protecting the dignity of human life and creation on the occasion of COP26 in Glasgow. This statement is available in Word format below. You can also listen to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Martin Fair and Ravinder Kaur Nijjar read aloud the statement on our YouTube channel.
- Scottish Religious Leaders Statement of Commitment (Word)
- Reading of the Scottish Religious Leaders Statement of Commitment (YouTube)
Beyond Climate Crisis
Interfaith Scotland has been hosting a monthly series of Facebook Live Panel Discussions with keynote speakers from different faiths discussing various aspects of the climate crisis from a multi-faith perspective. These are available to view on our YouTube channel at the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/BeyondClimateCrisisYouTube
Our Sacred Earth
The booklet ‘Our Sacred Earth’ was compiled by Interfaith Scotland to assist faith communities to be eco-friendly in their places of worship and in their community practices.
- Our Sacred Earth (PDF)
World Faiths and the Environment – Key Themes
This document provides a brief synopsis of beliefs of different faiths on our relationship with the environment and the ethical imperative to protect it.
World Interfaith Harmony Grove
Interfaith Scotland founded the World Interfaith Harmony Grove in 2019. The appropriate planting of trees is highlighted as one of the ways that we can greatly help the planet and Trees for Life manage our World Interfaith Harmony Grove. You can purchase trees for future generations to enjoy on the Trees for Life website.
- World Interfaith Harmony Grove (Trees for Life website)
Women’s Voices in Climate Action
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Interfaith Scotland hosted an event highlighting the disproportionate effects of climate change on women and inspiring projects undertaken by women to counteract climate change. Here is a playlist of talks from the event:
- Women’s Voices in Climate Action (YouTube)
Faith and the Environment – Quote Cards
A set of cards has been produced, with one card per faith, with a short summary of what that faith has to say about protecting the environment. These quote cards could be used in an interfaith dialogue session.
Scottish Interfaith Week
Scottish Interfaith Week 2021 took place from 31st October to 7th November to coincide with the first week of COP26 in Glasgow. The theme for the week was Together for Our Planet. You can have a look at the activities that took place during the week and additional resources on the theme at the Scottish Interfaith Week website below.
- Scottish Interfaith Week (website)
Resources from other organisations
Manifesto from Times of Crisis
The COP26 Interfaith Working group in Scotland has written their ‘Manifesto’ for COP26. This Manifesto was displayed on billboards in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, on the lead up to COP26, and can be read on the PDF attached below.
Faith for Earth: A Call for Action
This comprehensive document produced by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Parliament of the World’s Religions Climate Action outlines the key beliefs of different faiths on our relationship with the environment and our role in its protection, including those of indigenous, Abrahamic, Indic and East Asian religions. It also includes a beautiful anthology of scripture, poetry and prayers from these faiths.
Online Faith-based and Interfaith Climate Resources
Interfaith Scotland has produced a sheet with links to environmental resources produced by the major faiths and also those from interfaith organisations.
Baha’i Eco Pledge: NEW!
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Glasgow would like to offer this eco-pledge as a tool for individuals and communities to reflect on and enable practical action towards sustainable use of the world’s material resources. It contains 19 key actions that we can take to support environmental sustainability
Spiritual Vibrations for the Earth
Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network have produced a series of videos of short prayers / reflections from diverse religious traditions on the environment, sending out spiritual vibrations to help to protect and heal Mother Earth.
- Spiritual Vibrations for the Earth (YouTube)
Monthly Webinars on the Climate Crisis
SGI-UK (Soka Gakkai International) (Buddhism in Action for Peace) are hosting a monthly series of webinars looking at the climate crisis and making positive suggestions for a hopeful future. These have different faith speakers each month, and take place on the last Wednesday of every month. Webinars are recorded and previous webinars are also available to view on the website.
- SGI-UK and Climate Change webinars (website)
The Climate Fringe
Online webinars, arts and culture events, training, get togethers, workshops and podcasts in Scotland and further afield being hosted on the lead up to and during COP26 in Glasgow.
- Climate Fringe (website)
Britain Talks Climate
Britain Talks Climate is an evidence-based toolkit designed to support any organisation that wants to engage the British public on climate change. The toolkit groups the population into seven different segments based on people’s core beliefs. It provides an evidence-based, shared and strategic understanding of the British public and – against a backdrop of growing concern about polarisation – identifies ways to to engage across the whole of society.
- Britain Talks Climate report (website)
A Buddhist Connection with the Environment
An interview with Lama Yeshe, Abbot of Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Eskdalemuir, sharing personal insights on the Climate Crisis, Buddhism and interfaith engagement as part of Scottish Interfaith Week 2020.
A Spotlight on Faith
Edinburgh Interfaith Association hosts ‘A Spotlight on Faith’ with faith perspectives on the environment from the Buddhist and Christian traditions on their YouTube channel.
Interview with Bill Crook, ordained in the Thich Nhat Hanh school of Zen Buddhism
- Bill Crook: On the Climate Crisis (YouTube)
Interview with Rev David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain for EcoCongregation Scotland