Fossil Fuel Divestment

March's Eco Cafe covered fossil fuel divestment:

Minimising the Impact of Climate Change Requires:
Fast action
Changing systems
Removing the brakes (press on accelerator without taking off the brakes…need to be identified…)

What’s Holding us Back?
Lobbying/power of Fossil Fuels industry….to a govt who’re interested in keeping the status quo
Economic model that says we have to be growing/producing = progress
Advertising/marketing
Ignorance

What is Divestment?
Selling investment in fossil fuel companies and reinvesting proceeds in eg green finance
Whole sector - including banks/lobbying groups/hedge funds
$2.6 trillion already disinvested around the world
$13.1 billion Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global - biggest divester
But includes govt bodies
Universities
Pension funds
Individuals
Organisations/businesses guilty of a continuing ‘Head in the Sand’ approach
5x more resources in the ground/books than we can possibly use while staying within the 2 degree
carbon budget (Paris Agreement)
Some fossil fuels companies talk re investing in renewables but, using BP as an example: 97%
allocated to further exploration and extraction, and just 3% directed towards renewables
development.

More Info From:
350.org
DivestInvest
Operation Noah
http://www.climateaction100.org/ (apologies, you will need to copy and paste that one)

There is a huge lack of transparency in the workings/thinking of fossil fuel companies.
It’s clear that their planned emissions way exceed the 2 degrees.

Why is it Important?
Moral case
Developing countries taking the brunt
Responsibility to children/grandchildren
Commitment to planet
Argument for doing it in a managed way now rather than in a destructive way in the future

Financial Case:
Poor returns 25-30% below FTSE
(As of 10th March 40% below FTSE)
Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney recently warned that staying within the carbon
budget (to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement to hold global temperature well below
2.0 degrees….a bare minimum we should be aiming for) "would render the vast majority of
reserves ‘stranded' - oil, gas and coal will be literally unburnable”…. And that if we don’t, anyway
“climate breakdown could render investments held by millions of people worthless”.

Alternatives:
Engagement - They say if we’re out we haven’t got a seat at the table…influence…blah blah…but no evidence
that continuing to have a seat has any impact on fossil fuel companies strategic planning.
BP have said they’ll look at it but new CEO hasn’t done anything yet
Shell - have at least agreed they need to take Paris agreement seriously
CofE - will wait and see which companies not meeting Paris pledge by 2023 and divest from those
who aren’t. Have just invested 600M in new green Carbon fund (motion passed in February 2020
that all churches to be carbon neutral by 2030)
Invest in renewable energy and other Paris Agreement compliant funds
Govt recently decided to lift ban on subsidies for on-shore wind turbines, likely to mean more
growth for this industry. These are growing sectors, performing well.

How can I Help?
Write letters…lobby….campaign…
Eg currently Surrey Pension Fund hold £151 million in fossil fuel investments. As taxpayers, that’s
our money.
Encourage our own organisations to divest.
Look at our own investments….talk to financial advisor….also where we bank has an impact.
thegoodshoppingguide.com/ethical-banks-and-building-societies

Sarah Massey, 12/03/2020

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning, or Wednesday morning.

Where and When - Sunday Morning

We meet at Holy Trinity Church (find us) on Sunday mornings. There are two Sunday Services to choose from:

The 8:30 am Book of Common Prayer Communion Service

This is a traditional service, with organ-led traditional hymns. It is a beautiful and peaceful way to begin your Sunday morning. The service lasts about 45 minutes.

The 10:15am Parish Service is either a service of Morning Worship, or Communion.

This is a more informal service, with a mixture of traditional hymns and modern worship songs. The service usually lasts about an hour. This service is also livestreamed on Zoom. You won't be able to use your camera or microphone, but will be able to see, hear and join in with the service, from the comfort of your own home.

Mask wearing is no longer mandatory in church, but there are designated seating areas for those who prefer to wear masks.

If you feel unwell, please do not come in person - join us on Zoom at our 10:15am Sunday services.

For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space (if you're driving) and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our Welcome Team who will answer any questions you might have about the service, and help you find a seat.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after both services. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to pause and reflect before heading home. All refreshments are free.
Accessibility: There is wheelchair access to the side of the church, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up.

Where and When - Midweek

On Wednesday mornings, at 10am, there is a small, friendly and informal Communion Service, held at St John's Chapel (find us). There are a choice of sofas or chairs to sit on. The service usually starts with a song (unaccompanied but joyful!) and lasts about 30 minutes. Refreshments are usually served afterwards.
Parking directly outside St John's is limited, so if you want a guaranteed parking space, it is a good idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early. However if you are able, there is on-street parking available in Furlong Road or St John's Road. A warm welcome awaits you!

Getting Connected

Small Groups
While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some mornings and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Do get in touch with us if you'd like to know more about any of these services, or if you have any other questions about coming along to church.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.