The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told an international gathering of faith leaders that the fight against climate crisis would benefit from the relationship between science and faith. He made his comments in the first of a series of online meetings being held in advance of the UN’s COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow later this year. Archbishop Justin said that “the relationship between science and faith presents us with a very real and a powerful route to lasting, major change. Our global reach, our commitment to local communities and our hope combined with the knowledge and expertise of science can forge a powerful alliance.”

He welcomed US President Joe Biden’s decision to resume America’s commitment to the Paris Accord, and said: “I speak as a Christian. Jesus teaches us that there are no greater commandments than to love God and love our neighbour. To abide by those commandments as a Christian today is to step up to the challenge of climate change and connected environmental crises.”

He said that he was “humbled by the action of the Anglican Communion around the world, from initiatives like Green Anglicans, the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN), the Eco-Bishops group, the Anglican Communion’s presence at the UN and the work of the Anglican Alliance.”

His prayer, he said, was that “as faith communities . . . we might stand together, emissaries of hope and love, calling for God’s justice and peace upon this precious world. Now is the time for action.”

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• Click here to read the full transcript of Archbishop Justin’s comments