By UCA minister Rev. Meredith Williams

The Uniting Church in Australia has always understood that faith without action is incomplete. Our Assembly Strategy 2026–31 calls us to use our voice and our actions to confront injustice — not just within our own borders, but across the world. Nowhere is that prophetic call more urgent than in the global fight against climate change. As a church committed to Liberating Justice, we are called to stand with those on the front lines of the climate crisis: our First Peoples, and our Pacific Island neighbours whose very existence is threatened by rising seas.

That is why the Uniting Church's involvement in the campaign for a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is not a distraction from our mission — it is our mission. UCA minister Rev. Meredith Williams, writing on behalf of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), makes the case for why people of faith have a unique and urgent role to play — and what the Uniting Church is being asked to do right now.

ARRCC is a multi-faith, member-based organisation committed to taking action on climate change. Established in 2007, ARRCC brings together people of faith from all over Australia to work towards a more just and sustainable future. ARRCC's mission is to mobilise faith communities and leaders to advocate and campaign for urgent reduction in carbon emissions, a fossil fuel phase-out and a just transition to renewable energy.

In ARRCC we believe people of faith have a unique contribution to make to the Climate Justice / Climate Action movement, drawing on our spiritual resources, practices and networks as we put our faith into action. Working together across different traditions adds weight and urgency to the cause. It strengthens, surprises and inspires.

One of our main aims for 2026 involves working with like-minded organisations in Australia to push for a federal government commitment to a fossil fuel phase out and an end to fossil fuel exports. The current government is pretty solid when it comes to the domestic transition towards renewables, but they are woeful in terms of phasing out new coal and gas projects for exports (since coming into office in 2022 they have approved 34 of them). Australia is a huge fossil fuel exporter. Our emissions from exports dwarf our domestic emissions.

Our other aims for 2026 include continuing to support our Indigenous peoples in protection of country and our Pacific Island neighbours in their fight for climate survival.

In keeping with our afore mentioned goals, ARRCC’s main campaign focus for 2026 will be on supporting and advancing the global movement to end the burning of fossil fuels, the single biggest factor driving global heating and climate change.

As well as working with like-minded environmental organisations in Australia, ARRCC aligns with faith-based climate groups around the world. The ‘greenfaith’ movement is gathering momentum globally, with religious organisations active in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America. The WCC and the Roman Catholic Church are major players in this global network. ARRCC is a member of GreenFaith International and the International Climate Action Network.

The science is well-established and unequivocal that burning fossil fuels is what is driving climate change. But this basic message is yet to hit home with the majority of the Australian public. Coal, gas and oil caused the problem, and we need to phase them out. But many people are yet to understand the connection. What people of faith can do is use our ‘moral’ voice to get this message across, increasing awareness within our own faith communities and more broadly in the public domain.

No international mechanism currently exists to address fossil fuels and manage a fair transition away from oil, gas and coal. The Paris Agreement, while a monumental step in addressing climate change and setting up the temperature limit, isn’t structured or equipped to deal with the transition from fossil fuels. It doesn’t even mention coal, gas or oil. 

International momentum for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty is building, with the first ever international summit for a phase out of fossil fuels held in Colombia April 24 to 29. There are three main aspects to the proposed treaty:

• End the development of new coal, oil, and gas production, immediately;
• Phase out existing fossil fuel production rapidly and equitably, ensuring that impacted workers and communities are supported with dignity;
• Guarantee and finance a global just transition, securing universal access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable renewable energy for all people.

The idea of a treaty of this kind originated in the Pacific, and pressure from the Pacific for such a treaty is still high. Many faith communities around the world are uniting to show our support for a treaty of this kind. Those involved include GreenFaith International, the World Council of Churches, the Laudato Si’ movement, Saka Gakkai and Ummah for Earth.

The question for Australia is: Will we show our love for our Pacific neighbours by supporting their call?

The Uniting Church can support ARRCC’s campaign for a fossil fuel treaty by encouraging all our members, leaders, councils (congregations, presbyteries, synods) boards, schools and agencies to sign the petition. Our UCA president Rev. Charissa has signed on behalf of the Assembly; so have leaders of some Synods. We need everyone – a mass sign-on that cannot be ignored by delegates to the next phase-out summit to be held in Tuvalu in early 2027.

Go to the ARRCC website to sign as an individual person of faith, a faith leader or a faith organisation.

https://www.arrcc.org.au/fossil_fuel_treaty