2023 Net Zero Consultation

How can the Synod Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2040?

Download: Synod Net Zero Emissions Consultation Paper (Full)

The Synod Climate Action Task Force is keen to hear the views of Uniting Church members on what action the Synod should take in response to the National Assembly resolution requesting that all Synods reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 at the latest.

The resolution passed by the National Assembly was not accompanied with any plan on how net zero emissions would be achieved or what should count as part of the Synod’s emissions. At the time of writing, no Synod has a plan to reach net zero emissions.

The full consultation paper that can be downloaded from this page, along with a 4 page supplemental version that can be used as a reference resource that contains all the questions. This paper aims to explores how serious the Synod is at setting zero emissions targets, and assist the formulating a pathway for us to get there if that is what is called for in the submissions. Yours submissions will inform any proposals that may go to the 2023 meeting of Synod .

Download the Consultation Paper

Download: Synod Net Zero Emissions Consultation Paper (Full)

Download: Shortened Synod Net Zero Emissions Consultation Paper (4 page)

 

Submissions

Submissions are now closed.

Requests for information about this consultation can be direct to Timothy.Molineux@victas.uca.org.au.

 

 

2019-2020 Climate Change Consultation

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What position should the Synod take in response to climate change?

The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania meetings have passed resolutions relevant to climate change since 1977. However, the last resolution of a Synod meeting that directly addressed the issue of climate change was in 2008. Members of the Synod congregations have been expressing greater concern to the Justice and International Mission (JIM) cluster that the Synod needs to play a more significant role in responding to climate change.  The JIM cluster believes there is a need for the Synod to update its position on the urgency of addressing the causes of climate change and the actions that need to be taken in response.

The consultation paper that can be downloaded from this page explores how serious is the threat of climate change. Based on the assessment of the danger, the paper explores what actions we as Australians should be taking as part of the global effort to respond to climate change. It proposes a position for the Synod to adopt at the next Synod meeting in Feb 2020.

Submissions

Submissions for this consultation have now closed.

Please send any feedback or requests for information about this consultation to mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au.

JIM Cluster Response to Submissions

The JIM Cluster has formed a response to the feedback provided and can be accessed below.

Download: JIM Cluster response to climate change submissions Nov 2020

Feedback was invited by written submission, e-mail or phone conversation. The JIM Cluster also hosted two online forums.

The Cluster was involved in three online forums in addition to the two it organised. One was organised jointly by Manningham Uniting Church, Koonung Heights Uniting Church and The Village Church Mt Eliza. Several congregations in the Port Phillip East Presbytery organised another. The third forum was with the Gippsland Presbytery.

The Cluster also met online with members from the Crossroads Uniting Church in Werribee.

The Cluster received 21 written submissions. One person requested their submission be kept confidential. With permission, submissions have been made available below:

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