The efforts of campaigning local churches in Cardiff have paid off after Cardiff Council became the first in Wales to endorse the global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a landmark initiative aimed at phasing out fossil fuels worldwide.
For months, members of a group of Cardiff Eco Churches 鈥� including Beulah United Reformed Church (URC), City URC and Canton Uniting Church 鈥� have collaborated and campaigned together by meeting up with and writing to councillors, hosting events, inviting speakers, and finding creative ways to keep climate justice on the agenda. Cardiff Eco Churches is an ecumenical network of local churches committed to environmental stewardship and climate justice through the A Rocha Eco Church scheme.
In March, Cardiff Council voted to endorse the global call for a聽 which seeks to develop 鈥渁 concrete, robust, binding plan to protect people and the planet from the multifaceted threats posed by oil, gas, and coal鈥攆rom climate change and health crises to security and economic instability鈥�.
Eighteen nations have already joined the initiative and are participating in discussions on negotiating a Fossil Fuel Treaty to complement the , a legally binding an international treaty on climate change.
Ahead of the vote, members from Beulah URC, City URC and Canton Uniting Church gathered outside County Hall alongside representatives from local Methodist churches and the Church in Wales. Working with partners including and , they showed visible support for the motion, and for the wider vision behind it.
Reflecting on the council鈥檚 endorsement and the role of local Eco Churches, the Revd David Salsbury, Moderator of Yr Eglwys Ddiwygiedig Unedig, Synod Cenedlaethol Cymru (the URC National Synod of Wales), said: 鈥淭his decision proves that when churches stand together for creation and climate justice, their faith in action can influence change even at the highest level.聽 By raising their voices together, Cardiff鈥檚 Eco Churches have helped light the way toward a more sustainable and hope鈥慺illed future鈥�
During the Climate Coalition鈥檚聽campaign, held each February, people signed letters, heard from activists, and took part in conversations about what a just future might look like. Junior church members of some churches got involved by making Cymru Cares lanterns to shine a light 鈥� both literally and symbolically 鈥� on the need for action, helping to keep climate justice on the agenda.
And it worked.
Councillors heard those voices. The motion passed. And Cardiff now joins cities like London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, alongside countries around the world, in backing a coordinated global response to the climate crisis.
Eileen Newington, National Synod of Wales Green Advocate said: 鈥淭he fossil-fuelled climate emergency is already causing flooding and extreme weather in Wales. A global exit plan will help protect people here and worldwide who are already suffering the impacts of human-induced climate change.
鈥淔or many involved, this wasn鈥檛 just about environmental policy. It was about faith in action, caring for creation, standing with vulnerable communities, and speaking up where it matters.鈥�
A from the day, shared by Climate Cymru, captures the atmosphere and highlights the role of Eco Churches in the campaign.
Sass Adams, Communications Officer for the National Synod of Wales, added: 鈥淢oments like this can feel small in the grand scheme of things, but they鈥檙e not. They鈥檙e a reminder that when churches work together, build relationships, and keep showing up, change can happen.鈥�