Climate change

The Church of Scotland is concerned that climate change poses a serious and immediate threat to people everywhere, particularly to the poor of the earth, and that climate change represents a failure in our relationship with other aspects of God's creation.

Members of the Church of Scotland are called to pray and act in response to the crisis of nature and climate, which is already grossly disrupting the lives, economies and cultures of sisters and brothers around the world, and the habitats and wildlife on which we ultimately depend.

We accept the urgent need to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases to avoid dangerous and irreversible climate change, and to promote a more equitable and sustainable use of energy. This situation is now beyond being a ‘threat': we have rapidly passed the 1.5-degree threshold of global warming, with the World Meteorological Organisation raising the prospect of 1.9 degrees by 2030.

The poor, the marginalised, and indigenous groups, all of whom contribute least to the harm done, today suffer first and most. With the harm done by fossil fuels, there is urgent need for prayer and action.

Churches can offer hope, and the resources of prayer and worship, to build spiritual resilience. This necessarily involves costly visible and practical public action. Above all, we need a change of mind and heart, which convinces people of our love, integrity and concern as we reduce our own emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce waste, promote a more equitable and sustainable use of energy, care for wildlife, cherish biodiversity and fly less (or not at all).

We can also make a positive contribution by investing in industries which work towards a Just Transition. We speak most powerfully and prophetically if our own lives reflect the change which is necessary in society as a whole. With other people of faith, we can conscientiously engage in social and political action, supporting our leaders in bold and urgently necessary decisions, both as a denomination, as congregations and as individuals.

Theological Reflection
In 2022 the Church of Scotland's Theological Forum presented a paper to the General Assembly "The Earth is the Lord's: A Theological Account of Creation Care" (available at appendix 2).

This provides the foundation for our thinking and work in relation to climate, biodiversity and the environment.

Public life and social justice

The Church of Scotland is a member of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) coalition, and maintains close relationships with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland's Environmental Issues Network, and Christian Aid.

We seek to bring about positive change in society through our relationship with the Scottish Government and Parliament, responding to public questions related to biodiversity and climate to ensure the voice of the Church is heard in the public debate.

We often work together with partner churches in the UK in relation to international conferences including the COP (Conference of Parties) summits on Climate Change and Biodiversity.
In 2025 the General Assembly endorsed the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty initiative, which would provide a concrete and binding international framework to end the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects and manage a transition away from fossil fuels.

Congregational engagement

Many Church of Scotland congregations directly support and take part in the ecumenical movement which is Eco-Congregation Scotland, which builds community, encourages action and offers resources for worship and reflection. Many Church of Scotland congregations have achieved EcoCongregation awards, which encourage churches and their members to continue as wise, committed and loving partners with Creation.

The Church of Scotland has endorsed and encouraged the observance of Creation Time/Season of Creation which runs from 1 September to 4 October ever year. This global, ecumenical movement of churches, celebrates God as creator in our worship, learning and advocacy..

Net Zero

The General Assembly of 2020 approved a Net Zero Strategic Outline for the Church of Scotland to be a Net Zero organisation by 2030. This has included the creation of a Net Zero Pathway – a section of this website designed to help church congregations and individual members with steps towards reaching the Church's goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Local congregations are encouraged to hold on to this aspiration and direction of travel, as a matter of mission and outreach, as well as for the welfare of their own people. Various tools are available to help establish baselines, to collect data and to reduce emissions, which we will need when we consider the Church's large number of older and difficult to heat buildings.