"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can"
John Wesley
Climate COP finance got off to a good start, with recognition in the original treaty that developing countries in the Global South needed money from the wealthier nations of the Global North to help them reduce their carbon emissions, to adapt to climate change and to recover from catastrophic climate impacts. However, since then there has been a pattern of repeated failures.
The situation is complex, but here are a few headline concerns:
Overall, climate finance remains woefully inadequate.
There has never been a clear definition of what counts as climate finance.
Pledges are not enforceable, and change with donor domestic politics, elections and defence budgets.
It was assumed that private funding would roll in on the back of public finance, but this has stagnated.
Much of the finance consists of loans rather than grants, so recipient debt increases.
A poor country servicing a large debt does not have the necessary resources (money) to mitigate climate disasters nor does it have the resources required to adapt to a changing climate. Poor people suffer the most.
Existing Overseas Development Aid often gets rebadged as climate aid.
Because there is not enough funding for climate adaptation, hardships are worsening for vulnerable communities as the climate deteriorates.
There is an enormous short fall in money focussed on helping countries deal with loss and damage from climate impacts.
The Bible is definitely not silent about money, and how we use our money to help others. Social responsibility was addressed in Exodus as the Israelites received the law:
If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. If you take your neighbour’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbour has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
Exodus 22:25-27 (NIV)
And in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds them that God supplies their needs and they can be generous in turn to those who are in need.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; Their righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 (NIV) referring also to Malachi 3:10 and Psalm 112:9
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Some suggestions...
Pray that:
More funding for climate adaptation will be made available to vulnerable communities, such as smallholder farmers, struggling with climate related loss and damage 1.
Agreement will be reached on the amount of money required and how it will be delivered 1.
COP31 decisions will include concrete, binding commitments to climate finance targets, not just symbolic pledges.
The money that helps countries cut emissions and cope with impacts, will come as grants, not debt-creating loans 2.
The COP’s Presidency’s focus on implementation will be fruitful and that pilot climate finance initiatives will be successful and bring real progress 3.
Pray for:
A change in world leaders’ hearts and priorities, at a time when war and military spending is increasing while climate and overseas aids budgets are reduced.
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Faith groups carry a grants-not-loans demand toward COP31 | World Council of Churches
We draw this section to a close by using verses from several Psalms to help us remember that God has been generous to us and calls us to a life of generosity.
The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
Teach us your ways Father God
What is humankind that you are mindful of us?
Human beings that you care for us?
Teach us your ways Christ Redeemer
Show us your ways, LORD,
teach us your paths.
Guide us in your truth and teach us,
for you are God our Saviour,
and our hope is in you all day long.
Teach us your ways Counselling Spirit
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
For those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
Who conduct their affairs with justice.
Teach us your ways
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Help us to walk in righteousness and justice
Psalms 24:1, Psalms 8:4; Psalms 25:4-5; Psalms 112:4-5