English bishops call for higher taxes on fossil fuels

LEICESTER, United Kingdom (AP) — Church leaders in England are calling on the government to introduce higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to support countries most affected by the climate crisis.

In a joint letter from Bishop John Arnold, senior bishop for environmental issues at the Episcopal Conference, and his Anglican counterpart, Bishop Graham Usher of Norwich, the leaders call on the UK to “play a constructive role” at COP29, which is taking place in play”. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

They note that one of the goals of the meeting is to achieve a new collective quantified target on climate finance (NCQG).

“Those in the communities that have contributed least to the climate crisis are being forced to pay an impossible price for measures to protect their communities and rebuild from climate disasters,” the bishops write.

“We recognize how critical the NCQG will be in addressing this injustice and helping countries with the costs of the climate crisis,” the statement said.

The Bishops We urge the UK delegation to work with their ministerial counterparts in discussions to agree a target commensurate with the level of funding needed by countries on the frontline of the climate crisis. it is new public money coming from individuals and companies that cause the most pollution, rather than money recycled from existing aid funding sources; and consists of grants rather than loans, which will add to low-income countries’ existing and crippling debts.

“We are making this appeal to reflect the pressures on public finances around the world – including here in the UK.” But the work of CAFOD and Christian Aid has shown how the governments of rich countries like the UK can ensure developing countries have access to “We have larger sums of money for international climate financing without increasing the costs for ordinary taxpayers,” they write.

The bishops called on the government to consider taxing environmentally damaging activities on those who can afford it most.

“This would help address the injustice of the wealthiest companies and individuals profiting from environmental damage and incentivize the transition to renewable energy.” With this in mind, we welcome the Government’s announcement in the Budget that it will reduce air passenger tax on private jet flights. to increase flights. “We encourage the government to ensure that levies on oil and gas companies’ profits better reflect the enormous harm caused by fossil fuel pollution,” they write.

They are also calling on the British government to pass laws that force private creditors to pay the debts of countries in crisis on the same terms as governments and multilateral institutions.

“This would mean that climate-vulnerable countries would not have to choose between paying high interest bills to foreign lenders or paying to protect their communities from the climate crisis,” the bishops added.

They are also calling on the government to support calls for recycling more special drawing rights and allocating a larger share to low-income, climate-vulnerable countries.

“This would give these countries more resources to invest in measures to deal with the crisis: to protect communities and enable greater prosperity,” explain the bishops.

“The fact that those who have done the least to create the climate crisis are faced with an unpayable bill for its impacts is an injustice that we as a country cannot tolerate.” “The consistent support of church communities for action campaigns against the climate crisis “Climate change through Christian Aid and CAFOD is evidence of the desire of countless Christians across the UK for the government to show leadership on this issue,” they write.

“We urge you to ensure that your government plays the greatest possible role in eliminating this injustice,” the bishops said.

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will take place in Baku from November 11th to 22nd.

In his Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis said he hoped the meetings “can make an effective contribution to the protection of our common home.”

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