| Resolution Number: | 2018-A014 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Create a Pilot Carbon Offset Program |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention recognizes the reality of human-caused climate change through continued reliance on fossil fuel-based transportation; and be it further
Resolved, That because travel done on behalf of The Jesus Movement contributes to this problem, we recognize the need to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce, and ultimately eliminate this carbon footprint; and be it further
Resolved, That, as a first step in the process, by offsetting the impact of the travel done on behalf of The Jesus Movement, the Church witnesses to its care for God’s creation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Executive Council to draft a policy in 2018 requiring the use of socially responsible Carbon Offsets with particular attention to the social, political, economic, and ecological implications of carbon-credit generating programs by the Episcopal Church Center, and that such a program be tested and piloted as during the triennium for the work of The Episcopal Church including the travel of its staff, standing commissions and interim bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That a plan for a broader offset program for all church travel be presented for consideration at the 80th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That $25,000 be allocated for the pilot carbon offset program.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), pp. 1109-1110. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation |
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #3 on Resolution A014 (The Use of Carbon Offsets) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A014)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention recognizes the reality of human-caused climate change through continued reliance on fossil fuel-based transportation; and be it further
Resolved, That by offsetting the impact of the travel done on behalf of The Jesus Movement, the Church witnesses to its care for God’s creation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop’s Office to draft a policy in 2018 requiring the use of Carbon Offsets by the Episcopal Church Center and that such a program be tested and piloted during the triennium for the work of The Episcopal Church including the travel of its staff, standing commissions and interim bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That a plan for a broader offset program for all church travel be presented for consideration at the 80th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, that $25,000 be allocated for the pilot carbon offset program.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention recognizes the reality of human-caused climate change through continued reliance on fossil fuel-based transportation; and be it further
Resolved, That because travel done on behalf of The Jesus Movement contributes to this problem, we recognize the need to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce, and ultimately eliminate this carbon footprint; and be it further
Resolved, That, as a first step in the process, by offsetting the impact of the travel done on behalf of The Jesus Movement, the Church witnesses to its care for God’s creation; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Presiding
Bishop’s Office Executive Council to draft a policy in 2018
requiring the use of Carbon Offsets by the Episcopal Church Center and that
such a program be tested and piloted during the triennium for the work of The
Episcopal Church including the travel of its staff, standing commissions and
interim bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That a plan for a broader offset program for all church travel be presented for consideration at the 80th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That $25,000 be allocated for the pilot carbon offset program.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #101)
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #3 on HB Message #101 on Resolution A014 (The Use of Carbon Offsets) and moved concurrence.
Deputy Kittrell of West Texas moved to amend the resolution.
Proposed Amendment:
In the fourth resolve clause, following "requiring the use of", add "socially responsible" and following "carbon offsets" add "with particular attention to the social, political, economic, and ecological implications of carbon-credit generating programs".
Deputy Thomason of Olympia moved to end debate on the amendment.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion carried
Amendment adopted
Deputy McMahon of Pittsburgh moved to end debate on the resolution.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on Resolution A014.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #295)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #19 on HD Message #295 on Resolution A014 (The Use of Carbon Offsets) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #412)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.
| Report Reference: | Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 574-592. |
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| Abstract: | The 79th General Convention recognizes that church travel contributes to climate change and directs Executive Council to draft a policy, test a pilot carbon offset program, and present a plan for a broader church-wide effort. |