The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Committees and Commissions presented its Report #12 on Resolution A086 (Continuing the Task Force for Care of Creation and Environmental Racism) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A086)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the General Convention affirm the Presiding Bishop’s and the President of the House of Deputies’ continued call to the Church to recognize Care of Creation and Environmental Justice as integral and ongoing parts of the Church’s loving, liberating, and life-giving work; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention commend the good work done by the Task Force for Care of Creation and Environmental Racism in the triennium following the 2018 General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention authorize a Task Force for Care of Creation and Environmental Racism to continue this work on behalf of the Episcopal Church in the next triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That this Task Force of up to 20 persons be appointed jointly by the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop, with members to include a geographically diverse representation from the Church mindful to include younger generations, persons of color and Native persons who are and will be disproportionately affected by climate change; and be it further

Resolved, That this Task Force submit a report to the 81st General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct this Task Force to make as a priority the development and support of programs that respond to eco-justice concerns, address systemic environmental racism, and work to alleviate environmental burdens on indigenous communities. Ensure that programs can be modeled across the provinces of the Episcopal Church; and to provide training and financial and other resources to facilitate these projects; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention directs the Task Force to further expand, support and promote the Creation Care Covenant recognizing that this work seeks to align with the loving, liberating and life giving work of evangelism and beloved community; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Task Force to continue its work on developing theological resources and materials on a range of environmental topics including but not limited to the sin of environmental racism, an exploration of environmental reparations and the ethical and moral implications of responding to climate change: and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct this Task Force to continue the work of the previous Advisory Council (GC 2015) and Task Force (GC 2018) to implement the carbon offset program, support the efforts for just transition, increase and utilize the capabilities of the Episcopal Asset Map to support and respond to environmental injustices and to establish the network of asset-based programs; to continue to work within the partnerships established in the previous triennium with environmental justice organizations nationwide; and to continue the grants program in order to accomplish the above objectives; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $850,000 during the triennium for the work outlined above.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #143)