COP26 – 2021 United Nations Annual Climate Change Conference

COP stands for Conference of the Parties.
The Parties are the signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – a treaty agreed in 1994.    COP26 is the 2021 edition of the United Nations Annual Climate Change Conference.

More than 50 religious leaders signed the Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration which calls for those in power to put the 2015 Paris Agreement into effect. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by the 196 attending parties at the COP21.

Creator God, giver of life, you sustain the earth and direct the nations.
In this time of climate crisis, grant us clarity to hear the groaning
of creation and the cries of the poor.
Challenge us to change our lifestyles.
Guide our leaders to take courageous action.
Enable your church to be a beacon of hope.
And foster within us a renewed vision of your purposes for your world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, by and for whom all things were made.
Amen.                                   [Archbishop of York]

31 October – the eve of COP 26

Reflect:
“As followers of Jesus, who saw the beauty
of creation all around him, we are called
to safeguard the integrity of creation
and to sustain the life of the earth.”
[The Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher]     

Prayer on the eve of COP26

God we ask you to keep those who attend COP26 in hope.
May their goal be to rise to the challenges set before us all.