GCFA Supports Net-Zero Commitment

GCFA Joins Joint United Methodist Church Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

Nashville, Tennessee - In the first net-zero commitment of its kind, the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) along with other agencies of The United Methodist Church (UMC), today released a joint statement, “Our Climate Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions.” The collaborative, multi-institution statement pledges to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the organizations’ ministries, facilities, operations, and investments by 2050. “Net-zero” describes the process by which human-caused greenhouse gas emissions can be balanced, or “netted out,” by removing emissions from the atmosphere.

The statement acknowledges that the UMC “has long affirmed our individual and collective responsibility to address the unfolding climate crisis.” In light of these values, the group said it was “called by our faith, informed by science, and led by our relationships with impacted communities” to respond urgently.

“The General Council on Finance and Administration is honored to join with United Methodist voices to support the efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We can all do our part, and we will join the efforts to find ways to be engaged in these initiatives,” said General Secretary Moses Kumar.

The statement is endorsed by 11 General Secretaries and agencies:

• The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS)
• The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)
• The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM)
• The General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH)
• The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW)
• The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA)
• Discipleship Ministries
• United Methodist Communications (UMCom)
• United Methodist Men (UMM)
• United Methodist Women (UMW)
• Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath)

Additional UMC agencies are also actively considering endorsing the statement.

The commitment comes at a time of growing climate action around the globe. Following the U.S.’ decision to reenter the Paris Climate Agreement, nine of the world’s 10 largest economies have stated ambitions to become carbon neutral. Meanwhile, corporate commitments to achieve net-zero have tripled in the last year.

Today’s announcement coincides with Earth Day, an international celebration of the planet, as well as the Biden Administration’s virtual “Leaders’ Summit on Climate” – a meeting of world leaders focused on climate action leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November.

GCFA will work together with other signatories in the coming months to solidify actions and strategies associated with this initiative.