In March 2026, Cardiff Council became the first local authority in Wales to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – a global plan to bring a fast and fair end to the era of coal, oil and gas.
Cardiff Eco Churches wrote to and met with councillors, hosted events and found creative ways to keep climate justice on the agenda as they called collectively for Cardiff Council to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty.
The campaigning started during Season of Creation 2024, when churches were encouraged to promote the treaty and to find ways of taking action.
A range of events and collaborative initiatives were organised by the Eco Churches. During Show the Love, a joint event was held with Climate Cymru when presentations from a range of speakers and activists were combined with a craftivism session to support the campaign, and in Christian Aid Week church members took the opportunity to contact councillors.
Always keen to amplify the voices of young people, Junior Churches created lanterns during COP 30 which were displayed with a letter to councillors in church windows. The resources, briefings, template letters and support provided by Global Justice Now proved invaluable.
At all events, people were encouraged to sign letters for council and Senedd members underlining the impacts of the climate and nature crisis on vulnerable communities in Wales and worldwide, and calling for endorsement of the treaty. Each letter had room for multiple signatures and addresses, and once signed, they were collated and delivered or sent by representatives of the Cardiff Eco Churches.
The campaigning worked. Councillors heard the concerns. The motion was tabled and passed.
Cardiff now joins cities like London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, alongside countries around the world, in backing a coordinated global response to the climate crisis.
Revd David Salsbury, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Wales Synod, said, “This decision proves that when churches stand together for creation and climate justice, their faith in action can influence change even at the highest level”.
Sarah Charlesworth, Cardiff Methodist Circuit Eco Church representative, added, “It is such a great witness to have churches campaigning together […] It shows the local community what we care about, that church is relevant and that together we can make a difference.”
Cardiff Eco Churches is an ecumenical group of congregations committed to working together to combat the climate and nature emergencies.
With thanks to Eileen Newington for writing this Eco Church story.
Read more in articles on the URC and Methodist Church websites. Credit for the title of this Eco Church story is taken from the URC article.