The Truro Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd has signed a Green Investment Declaration committing to increase its investments in climate solutions.

Faith institutions are the third largest economic power on earth and so have capacity to make a real difference. The Green Investment Declaration is an initiative developed by Operation Noah under the umbrella of the FCI Collaboration, to encourage faith organisations to mobilise their investment capital to tackle social and environmental challenges.

In making the declaration on behalf of the Diocese of Truro, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson said: “As Christians we have the moral obligation to be advocates for climate, nature, and humanity, which are all impacted by the climate crisis. We believe that our actions must help build a society that is just for all. We therefore believe that it is our responsibility to align our investments with our faith and move beyond negative screening to consider how our investments actively fund climate solutions to create positive social and environmental impacts.

“By signing this declaration, we acknowledge our commitment to using our investments to build a more just world for both people and the planet.”

Mike Sturgess, Chair of the Truro Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd, said: “So much of what we are doing in the Diocese of Truro stems from, or is designed to support, our Creation Care strategy, summarised as Cherish Creation, Cut Carbon and Speak Up.

“As a faith organisation we need to be demonstrating our commitment to reversing the decline in biodiversity and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We also need to ‘speak up’ and seek to be an agent for change. It is often said that actions speak louder than words, but we need both.”

The diocese estimates that 10% of its investment portfolio is now in renewables.