Leaders from across the UK's religious communities say there is a "moral imperative" to tackle the causes of global warming. Skip related content
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'Moral imperative' to tackle climate change
At a meeting hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha'i, Jain and Zoroastrian faiths called on the UK and G20 governments to fight for an ambitious deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions at UN-led talks in Copenhagen in December.
A statement issued by the groups meeting at Lambeth Palace in London said that catastrophic climate change posed a "very real threat to the world's poor and to our fragile creation".
The leaders added that the developed world was primarily responsible for the emissions which cause climate change, and urged G20 governments to fight for an agreement which would speedily end global reliance on fossil fuels.
"We recognise unequivocally that there is a moral imperative to tackle the causes of global warming," the statement published today said.
"Faith communities have a crucial role to play in pressing for changes in behaviour at every level of society and in every economic sector. We all have a responsibility to learn how to live and develop sustainably in a world of finite resources."
The leaders pledged to reach out to their communities to raise awareness of the potential for catastrophic climate change, and increase public support for a strong deal to cut emissions in Copenhagen.
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