By Bokani Tshidzu, Operation Noah Campaign Officer 

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Just Peace’ – appropriate given the heartbreaking conflicts currently raging in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. I had the privilege of leading a workshop at the conference based on Operation Noah’s Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and Investing in Climate Solutions Toolkit, focusing on the seventh pillar of CST, Peace. 

 

Our workshop began with a reflection on the Catholic Church’s consistent teaching that peace is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for development. The Catechism states that ‘Respect for and development of human life requires peace’, while Gaudium et Spes (‘Joys and Hopes’) – a document which came out of the Second Vatican Council – defines it as an order built on justice. In a powerful modern connection, Pope Benedict XVI chose ‘If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation’ as the theme for the 2010 World Day of Peace, underscoring the vital link between environmental protection and the pursuit of peace. These core teachings guided our discussions, grounding our work in the rich tradition of our faith.

The workshop explored how the pursuit of a just peace is inextricably linked to our response to the climate crisis. The causes and impacts of human-caused climate change are a catalyst for deadly conflict. The relentless extraction of fossil fuels, for example, has exacerbated violence, from Ukraine to Mozambique, leaving families vulnerable to military action, disease and hunger. 

Furthermore, Reuters reported that Israel awarded natural gas exploration licences to BP, SOCAR, and NewMed in October 2023, while another report from June 2023 noted the approval of the development of a gas field off the coast of Gaza. These decisions are an important factor in the ongoing conflict as they would contribute to Palestinian economic independence. 

Similarly, the link between resource extraction and violence is tragically clear in other parts of the world, for example the revenue from oil and gas exports continues to fund the Russian assault on Ukraine. Bishop Manuel Ernesto, the Anglican Bishop of Nampula in northern Mozambique, has spoken out about the increase in violence in northern regions of the country due to exploration for natural gas. A ruptured oil pipeline in South Sudan, as reported by Bloomberg, left the country’s economy on the brink, and Amnesty International has highlighted how the Democratic Republic of Congo is racked by conflict, in part due to competition over natural resources.

Beyond fossil fuels, the impacts of climate change itself, such as devastating droughts, can also lead to conflict and exacerbate suffering in war-torn regions. We saw this in a powerful video from Oxfam and Earthrise. The recognition of this “double evil” – where the causes of the climate crisis and its impact both intensify conflict – compels us to re-evaluate where and how our institutions, including the church, align their finances.

The workshop concluded in a creative and interactive way, using the familiar world of the radio drama The Archers to explore how different parts of the church could collaborate on ethical investment. This creative approach led to a discussion about practical action, including the Big Bank Switch campaign and the Green Investment Declaration. The Big Bank Switch campaign encourages Christians to move their personal and church accounts from banks that fund fossil fuels to greener, more ethical alternatives. The Green Investment Declaration, led by Operation Noah and the JustMoney Movement, urges faith institutions to invest a minimum of 5% of their assets in climate solutions within five years. These campaigns show that the pursuit of peace, justice, and environmental care is a holistic effort that includes our own financial choices. 

I was reminded many times throughout the conference that community is what makes these ideals a reality. The conference provided a space for prayer, reflection, and being informed, but it also gave us a chance to gather in solidarity. We took part in a “Red Line for Gaza” protest, a symbolic action that, for me, was a powerful reminder that I must choose peace in my life and that conversion begins with individual repentance but does not end there.

 

The National Justice and Peace Network Conference was a powerful affirmation that by coming together, sharing our stories, and challenging the status quo, we can indeed “tip the scales in favour of peace.”