Faith communities to hold service and vigil for climate

Faith communities in Scotland are to stage a service and silent prayer vigil for “brave and bold solutions” on climate change during the Cop29 summit.

The service will take place at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh on Saturday to coincide with the middle Saturday of the UN climate change conference, often known as the Global Day of Action.

Following the service, a silent vigil will take place in front of the Scottish Parliament.

The events are being organised by Christian Aid and Eco-congregation Scotland alongside Interfaith Scotland, with a total of eight organisations taking part.

A silent vigil also took place outside the Scottish Parliament during Cop28 in 2023 (Christian Aid/PA). PA Media

The Cop29 summit is taking place in Baku in Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22.

Andrew Tomlinson, campaigns and advocacy lead at Christian Aid Scotland, said: “Many of us are aware that the annual UN climate summit is a critical moment bringing together governments from around the world.

“As the meetings and conversations take place, we stand in solidarity with all those taking part and pray for brave and bold solutions.

“Saturday’s worship and silent prayer vigil provides an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for wisdom, for the sake of our planet and especially for those communities living on the frontline of the climate crisis.”

He added: “Ambitious and transformative action is the only way forward.”

One of the key topics at Cop29, dubbed the “finance Cop”, is expected to be climate finance, the financial support that wealthier countries will give to poorer countries most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis.

Maureen Sier, director of Interfaith Scotland, said: “Our vigil not only coincides with Cop29 but falls during Scottish Interfaith Week.

“It’s crucial that as representatives of Scotland’s diverse faith communities we are united in our call for urgent action to tackle climate change and to prevent the huge injustice it’s wreaking on people and planet.

“The evidence could not be clearer that our world is warming and destructive weather patterns are increasing – just recently a year’s worth of rain fell in one single day in southern Spain.”

The other organisations taking part in the events in Edinburgh on November 16 are Christian Climate Action, Quakers in Scotland, Justice and Peace Scotland, Edinburgh Interfaith Association and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf).

Rev David Coleman of Eco-congregation said: “We’re pleased to be involved in Saturday’s events – providing an opportunity for faith communities to show that though Cop29 may be taking place thousands of miles away in Baku what happens there impacts us all.”