Christians 4 Future

Christians for Future is a association of Christians who are committed to climate justice as part of the For Future movement.

The churches already promote climate justice through pronouncements such as the encyclical Laudato Si' or the EKD  and in many practical initiatives. This commitment is very positive and is expressly welcomed by Christians for Future. However, the progress of the climate crisis shows that the measures taken so far are not sufficient.

The commandments of charity and the integrity of creation require a more drastic reversal in our own actions and a clearer witness in society and politics. Against this background, we address the following demands to the church leaders of the (arch)dioceses and regional churches in Germany.

Christians 4 Future demands include:

• The implementation of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 °C.
• Compliance with national climate targets (-40% of greenhouse gases by 2020 and an immediate phase-out of coal as the first milestone towards CO2 neutrality in 2035).

THE PROPHETIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH

1. The church leadership show public solidarity with the demands of Fridays for Future Germany both in words and in deeds.
2. Together with other religious leaders at national and sub-national level, the church leadership maintains a structured and regular dialogue with the movement for climate justice aimed at joint action.
3. The church leadership at national and sub-national level highlight the urgency of climate action by regular public actions, such as participation in climate marches, vigils or other  forms of action.
4. The church leadership seek dialogue with politicians and demand a clear change towards climate just politics.
5. The international ecumenical cooperation and the global solidarity at different levels is strengthened with regard to the joint challenge of the global climate and environmental crisis that hits many countries in Africa, Latin-America, Asia and Oceania particularly hard.

ACTION WITHIN THE CHURCHES 

• The regional churches, free churches and (arch-)dioceses aim at becoming climate neutral by 2030. Budgetary planning and investment decisions are aligned with this goal.
• Regional churches, free churches and (arch-)dioceses ensure, that all land in church ownership will be managed in a climate-positive manner by 2035 and aligned with the criteria for ecological agriculture. All new lease agreements for land follow these criteria with immediate effect. The use of peat is discontinued immediately.
• Regional churches, free churches and (arch-)dioceses publicly commit to divestment from coal, oil and gas.
• All (arch-)dioceses, free churches and regional churches create one full-time staff position working on environment and climate per 100.000 church members. At national level, the churches create an advisory service for climate neutrality.

AWARENESS RAISING WITHIN THE CHURCHES 

• The church leadership promote networks to foster cooperation on climate justice within the churches, such as the ecumenical network for climate Justice (Ökumenische Netzwerk Klimagerechtigkeit).
• The church leadership ensures that urgent action to protect the creation is embedded in the pastoral work and in training. For this purpose they organise compulsory training for all church staff on the climate crisis.
• The church leadership ensures that the stewardship for creation is embedded more in liturgy and spirituality. In addition, the churches participate in providing pastoral answers to growing fears of the future and pastoral offers to interested activists.