UMC General Conference Sustainability Recap
Written by Jay Horton, Communications Manager for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) and delegate from North Georgia to the postponed 2020/2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC).
By all measures, the postponed 2020/2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) was historic! Not only did the church remove 40-year-old harmful language prohibiting the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ+ persons (like myself) and take initial steps to regionalize and contextualize ministry in the denomination, but we also made significant strides as a global church in becoming more socially responsible and better stewards of Creation. Here is a brief overview of the sustainable actions taken:
Monday, April 29, 2024
The General Conference adopted resolutions calling on the church to actively respond to climate change through action and advocacy. In the United States, the church said it was especially important “to make sure that those who have historically experienced environmental racism are at the center of decision-making.”
The UMC Energy Policy Statement was heavily edited to now reference the concerns of biomass and “generating energy from plant-based materials and food.” It also revisited concerns around nuclear energy and reaffirmed a “moratorium on future development” of nuclear energy sites, like Plant Vogtle in Georgia. The policy notes that “Today, cleaner energy sources are available and increasingly cost-competitive.” The church is urged to transition quickly to renewable sources like solar and “model” just transition globally. “This includes educating our congregants on energy production and usage in relation to global warming, studying the consequences of our consumer choices, taking action to lessen our impact on the environment, and advocating for policies that respond to the growing threat of climate change.”
The church also edited ¶603 of the Book of Discipline to add additional venue requirements for Annual Conference sessions. In addition to being accessible to persons with disabilities, sessions must now, when possible, “have sustainable practices for energy, waste, and consumption.”
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The conference revised and broadened the church’s Social Principles relating to the natural world, now referencing a “Community of All Creation” and affirming we are “interconnected members of complex ecosystems, intricate webs of life, all of which have their origins in God’s gracious act of creation.” Drawing on scripture, the new principles powerfully lament the destruction of ecosystems, global warming and climate change, and our societal dependence on fossil fuels. They urge stewardship of creation by first addressing environmental racism, implementing sustainable policies and practices, advocating for food justice, protecting space, and caring for all God’s creatures. For the first time, the principles (in addition to affirming science) now recognize and celebrate the contributions of indigenous wisdom in “living in harmony and balance with the earth.”
Along with the adoption of the Revised Social Principles, the conference approved a petition requiring annual conferences to establish a conference “Caretakers of God's Creation Coordinator.” This person would be responsible for helping the annual conference address environmental injustices in their area and develop programs to become more ecologically sustainable.
We approved resolutions that urge churches to establish Green Teams and “implement actions in their settings that bring their land back in harmony with God’s intentions and systems.” This includes reducing lawn space, planting native and edible plant species, rain gardens, discontinuing fertilizer use, and converting to renewable energy sources like solar.
Finally, the denomination joined bishops, boards, agencies, and commissions on Tuesday in committing to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050—a powerful step in ending reliance on fossil fuels.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The General Church approved a petition modifying ¶2533 of the Book of Discipline urging the board of trustees in all local churches “to conduct or cause to be conducted an annual carbon footprint and/or greenhouse gas emissions audit of their buildings, grounds, and facilities.” They are then encouraged to “make plans and determine priorities for the elimination of such barriers.”
Friday, May 3, 2024
While the UMC did not vote as we had hoped to amend screening practices for investments to include fossil fuels Friday, powerful advocacy during the General Conference showed Wespath Benefits and Investments and the General Board of Finance and Administration the need for more socially responsible investing. They will now work to expand access to such plans.
It is exciting to see the United Methodist Church move in a more justice-centered and sustainable way! We recognize change at the local level will take some time, but please know, that Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is here to help!
GIPL has a well-established Green Team program including free coaching for congregations to begin the work of being better caretakers of Creation. We also have Power-Wise and Solar-Wise programs to help with energy audits and renewable energy transition, as well as a forthcoming program for sustainable land use for congregational lands. These programs include substantive grant funding for practical climate solutions.
From advocacy to implementation, you and your congregation do not have to do this work alone. It takes all of us to transform the world!
