Our Task Force submitted four pieces of climate justice legislation to this year’s Annual Conference Session (ACS). Three of them had minor modifications made to them during the legislative sections; all had over an 85% vote and were then placed on the Consent Calendar and approved by the Plenary Session.
Here is the text that was approved:
Item 12 – Recommendation to Spend 10 Minutes a Day in Nature
Be it resolved that every participant in every congregation of the California-Nevada Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is strongly encouraged to spend at least ten minutes of every day in mindful connection with Creation – outdoors if possible.
Item 13 – Resolution to Boycott Chevron to Defend God’s Creation and Human Rights
Be it resolved that the California-Nevada Conference shall join the global boycott of Chevron Corporation by signing the boycott statement of United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR)[1], and
Be it further resolved that the Conference Secretary shall send a notification of this conference decision to the CEO of Chevron, accompanied by the full text of this resolution as well as the 2024 UMKR letter to Chevron which includes the reasons for and demands of the boycott[2], and
Be it further resolved that all individuals and congregations of the conference are strongly encouraged to sign the boycott statement which can be found through the UMKR website, kairosresponse.org, and
Be it further resolved that individuals and congregations are strongly encouraged to use organizing tools and educational resources at the UMKR website to inform United Methodists of the underlying issues of this boycott and to mobilize boycott activities in their area, and
Be it further resolved that all California-Nevada Conference Boards and Agencies shall determine if they hold any direct investments in Chevron Corporation, and if so, will divest of those holdings.
[1] https://umkr.salsalabs.org/chevron-stopfuelinggenocide/index.html
[2] UMKR Letter to Chevron CEO announcing the boycott
Item 15 – Resolution for Conference Fossil Fuel Divestment
Be it Resolved that:
The California-Nevada Annual Conference will endeavor to meet the goal that all California-Nevada Conference boards and agencies investment portfolios will be transitioned to “fossil free” through screening out companies that own coal, oil, and gas reserves[1] and companies whose core business[2] is to produce coal, oil, and gas.[3] Investments in “low carbon” portfolios (containing under 2% of such companies) can be seen as an interim goal as we move toward investments that are fossil free.
Be it Further Resolved that:
Using the definition of “fossil free” given above, the goal for Conference boards and agencies is that by the 2026 Annual Conference Session, they would be fully transitioned to fossil free or transitioned to “low carbon” with a plan and timeline for transitioning to fossil free.
Be it Further Resolved that:
The Council on Finance and Administration will report on California-Nevada’s progress on fossil fuel divestment at the 2026 Annual Conference Session.
[1] The MSCI Ex Fossil Fuels Index identifies funds that exclude fossil fuels, and some divestment efforts use this metric: either the company owns reserves or it doesn’t.
[2] According to Wespath’s explanation on Investment Exclusions, a “core business” is one that accounts for 10% or more of a company’s revenue derived from the objectionable products and/or services and discontinuing the activity would materially change the nature of the company’s operations.
[3] Wespath’s Social Values Choice funds exclude companies that own reserves but also those that engage in “production” of coal, oil, or gas. This resolution proposes to use the same standard for “fossil free” funds as Wespath.
Item 17 – Recommendation on Green Teams
Be it resolved that the California-Nevada Annual Conference affirms creation care and climate justice as a missional priority and a part of the Core Team’s vision of healing the world.
Be it further resolved that the California-Nevada Annual Conference adopts and commits itself to adopting the 2024 General Conference Resolution 5112 on Green Team Formation; and
Be it further resolved that the Bishop, District Superintendents, Executive Directors, the Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator, and members of the Core Team shall all publicly, and regularly, urge and support the formation of green teams, or equivalent, in local churches for action in the four areas of connection, education, action and advocacy; and
Be it further resolved that the District Superintendents make inquiries at annual charge conferences as to the creation care and climate justice actions that the local church has taken in the past year and that these actions be communicated to the Climate Justice Ministries Task Force and the Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator in order that they can be celebrated and used as an idea exchange and inspiration throughout the connection.
Be it further resolved that local churches may consult climate-cnumc.org for resources pursuant to the formation and the functions of their green team.