By Bob Downs
The Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions resolution is a call for Annual Conferences to “DO SOMETHING” about the degradation of our environment caused by global warming and its resulting climate change. As defined by the UN Climate Action: Net-Zero Coalition, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests. To prevent the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5 degrees C. To meet this goal emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
As Christians, we are commanded to care for God’s Creation. We are told in Genesis 1 to rule (as God rules) and in Genesis 2 to keep, guard or provide for our planet. As described by John Wesley, “We are now God’s stewards. We are indebted to him for all we have…. A steward is not at liberty to use what is lodged in his hands as he pleases, but as his master pleases…. He is not the owner of any of these things but barely entrusted with them by another… now this is exactly the case of everyone with relation to God. We are not at liberty to use what God has lodged in our hands as we please, but as God pleases, who alone is the possessor of heaven and earth and the Lord of every creature…. [God] entrusts us with [this world’s goods] on this express condition, that we use them only as our Master’s goods, and according to the particular directions which he has given us in his Word.” John Wesley, Sermon 51, “The Good Steward,” §II.1, Works 2:283-84
These responsibilities are recognized by the SOCIAL PRINCIPLES of the United Methodist Church and were addressed specifically in the 2009 Council of Bishops Pastoral Letter, God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action. “God’s creation is in crisis. We, the Bishops of The United Methodist Church, cannot remain silent while God’s people and God’s planet suffer. This beautiful natural world is a loving gift from God, the Creator of all things seen and unseen. God has entrusted its care to all of us, but we have turned our backs on God and on our responsibilities. Our neglect, selfishness, and pride have fostered:
- pandemic poverty and disease,
- environmental degradation, and
- the proliferation of weapons and violence…
Despite these interconnected threats to life and hope, God’s creative work continues. Despite the ways we all contribute to these problems, God still invites each one of us to participate in the work of renewal. We must begin the work of renewing creation by being renewed in our own hearts and minds. We cannot help the world until we change our way of being in it.
The Call was clear, but our response limited. Finally in 2021, twelve Boards and Commissions of the church decided to DO SOMETHING and pledged “to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments and to leverage the gifts of our connection putting equity and justice at the center as we build a net-zero emission economy by 2050.” This action was endorsed by the Council of Bishops who also supported passage of a Net Zero resolution by Annual Conferences. This Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions resolution moves an Annual Conference toward net-zero emissions and puts it in synch with our connection. It also encourages local churches to do the same.
This resolution expresses a commitment to responsible and just climate action and calls for establishment of a working group of affected Conference organizations to assess current gas emissions (baseline), determine appropriate offsets or alternative methods of action, and schedule implementation with consideration of normal system aging and external incentives. It is not a call to spend money now versus no cost “business as usual”. Over the next 27 years, most heating, air conditioning and other mechanical systems will wear out and need replacing. If plans are in place to use more efficient and sustainable systems when that happens, the cost differences will be negligible. In fact, the US Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project concluded in 2016 that net-zero emission goals could be achieved worldwide by 2050 with then current technologies, with little net cost differences over “business as usual”, and with considerable health benefits. Of course, where money would be spent would be notably different; and we have lost 6 years in achieving the goal, but it is still possible. Project Drawdown offers similar conclusions and a wide variety of options to pursue. Some of the options are applicable to the church and some are not. Admittedly churches working alone will not solve the worldwide problem, but it will set an example and show our commitment to stewarding God’s Creation. BUT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW!
- Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions resolution
- 2009 Council of Bishops Pastoral Letter, God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action.
- Pledge “to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments”
- Endorsed by the Council of Bishops
A retired engineer and biophysicist, Bob Downs is a General Board of Global Ministries’ EarthKeeper. He attends Christ United Methodist Church in Kettering, Ohio. He is also the chair of the Creation Care Task Force in the West Ohio Annual Conference.