Resources
Find out more about the global movement for fossil fuel divestment, why the church needs to divest, and the tools to help you campaign for change on fossil fuel investment.
Operation Noah resources
Campaign Reports
Church investments in major oil companies: Paris compliant or Paris defiant? (2020) – The report shows the gap between the business plans of major oil companies and the Paris Agreement targets, and calls on Churches to urgently divest from fossil fuels in response to the climate emergency.
Fossil Free Churches report (2018) – this report highlights the role of the Churches in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It argues that the speed of transition needs to accelerate rapidly in order to keep global temperature rises in line with the Paris Agreement. The report concludes that Churches should shift their investments away from fossil fuel companies as soon as possible, and reinvest in clean alternatives.
Church of Scotland divestment briefing (2019) – this briefing was produced by Operation Noah, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Eco-congregation Scotland. It sets out how the Church of Scotland can accelerate the just transition to a sustainable future by divesting from fossil fuels and investing in clean alternatives, as part of the Church’s wider response to climate change.
Bright Now Report (written in 2013 and updated in 2015) – this founding campaign report sets out the moral, theological, scientific, financial and practical case for churches to divest from fossil fuel companies, and examines why they must actively seek to support clean, alternative forms of energy generation through their investment portfolios.
Reflective paper on the ethics of fossil fuels – Bishop David Atkinson asks how the Church of England should decide whether investments in fossil fuels are ethical.
Campaign tools
Divest your church (PDF) – a how to guide for local churches on divesting from fossil fuels and reinvesting for a brighter future. Printed copies can be requested.
Role play – a thought-provoking role play for use with groups.
Bible study – biblical texts and teachings relevant to divestment.
- For general resources for churches on climate change, see the Resources page on the Operation Noah website.
Other resources
Film clips
- An introduction to the DivestInvest movement DivestInvest
- Fossil fuel divestment: a financially prudent choice? DivestInvest
- For the Love of Our Planet: Fossil Free Future Isaac Harvey, URC Youth
- Laudato Si’ and religious life Fr Martin Poulsom SDB
- Laudato Si’ and divestment in Ireland Dr Lorna Gold
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu on divestment
- Fossil Free Tour event in London (full recording)
- Do the Math 350.org
Other campaigns on divestment
- Fossil Free
The fossil free campaign from 350.org with background information and resources for religious institutions. - DivestInvest
Global network of investors divesting from fossil fuels and investing in climate solutions. - Global Catholic Climate Movement
Organisation working with Catholic institutions on climate change and fossil fuel divestment - People & Planet’s Fossil Free campaign
The student-led fossil free campaign focusing on divestment by UK universities and colleges - Medact’s Fossil Free Health campaign
A campaign run jointly by Medact and Healthy Planet UK calling on the UK health community to divest from fossil fuels.
Church investment information
- Church of England: Ethical Investment Advisory Group
The EIAG advises the Church of England’s national investment bodies on ethical investment policies. - Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church
The CFB provides professional investment management for organisations within Methodism. - Quakers in Britain Sustainability programme
Quakers in Britain were the first Church in Britain to divest its centrally held money from fossil fuels. - Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility
ECCR leads and collaborates with others in advocacy and awareness-raising on issues of business, human rights and environmental stewardship. - Your Faith, Your Finance
Useful resource on money, faith and ethics. Includes section on ‘Influencing your church’s investments’, with information for different denominations.
Church statements on climate change
- Church of England National Investing Bodies’ climate change policy The latest policy of the Church of England’s National Investing Bodies on climate change.
- Church of England Environment Programme The Church of England’s national environmental campaign.
- Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Policy statements of the Central Finance Board on ethical investment.
- Hope in God’s Future A report and study guide from the Baptist Union, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church.
- Quakers in Britain Commitments on sustainability on the Quakers’ website.
- Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales ‘Guardians of God’s Creation: Educating towards a Christian Spiritual of Ecology’.
Church case studies
- United Reformed Church (UK)
- Quakers in Britain (also here)
- Church of Ireland
- Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
- Church of Sweden
- Anglican Church of Southern Africa
