The Climate Finance Subcommittee drafted three model resolutions related to climate finance, then presented them to the Resolutions Subcommittee for feedback, discussion, edits, and decision. 

  1. The first is a model 2023 resolution for annual conferences that would call for a petition to be presented to the 2024 General Conference adding “fossil fuels” to the list of investment activities that Paragraph 717 of the UM Book of Discipline has indicated that United Methodists are to screen out and not support with any funding. Paragraph 717 is below, highlighting the sentence in which the new wording would be inserted.
  2. The second is a model resolution for annual conferences calling for the annual conference itself to “not knowingly make investments in any company or entity whose core business activity involves the production of coal, petroleum, or natural gas.”
  3. The third model resolution is also for annual conferences. It endorses the World Council of Churches’ initiative, Climate-Responsible Finance: A Moral Imperative towards Children, which calls on member churches to recognize impacts of climate change on children and calls on conference agencies, churches, groups, and individuals to take certain actions to preserve a planet that is habitable for children.

The subcommittee is also discussing working with other groups on engagement with banks, including Stop the Money Pipeline and Third Act’s Banking on Our Future Campaign. Contact Sharon Delgado at sharondelgado@earth-justice.org if you are interested in getting involved with this work team. 

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Paragraph 717 Book of Discipline

In the investment of money, it shall be the policy of The United Methodist Church that all general boards and agencies, including the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and all administrative agencies and institutions, including hospitals, homes, educational institutions, annual conferences, foundations, and local churches, make a conscious effort to invest in institutions, companies, corporations, or funds with policies and practices that are socially responsible, consistent with the goals outlined in the Social Principles.  All United Methodist institutions shall endeavor to seek investments in institutions, companies, corporations, or funds that promote racial and gender justice, protect human rights, prevent the use of sweatshop or forced labor, avoid human suffering, and preserve the natural world, including mitigating the effects of climate change. In addition, United Methodist institutions shall endeavor to avoid investments in companies engaged in core business activities that are not aligned with the Social Principles through their direct or indirect involvement with the production of anti-personnel weapons and armaments (both nuclear and conventional weapons), alcoholic beverages or tobacco; or that are involved in privately operated correctional facilities, gambling, pornography or other forms of exploitative adult entertainment. The boards and agencies are to give careful consideration to environmental, social, and governance factors when making investment decisions and actively exercise their responsibility as owners of the companies in which they invest.  This includes engaging with companies to create positive change and hold them accountable for their actions, while also considering exclusion if companies fail to act responsibly.