United Church Social Policy Positions

This policy statement offers concrete recommendations to live in a much more ecologically integrated manner within the Earth community drawing on energy sources in ways that do not damage ecosystems or compromise the capacity of the Earth to meet the needs of current or future generations.

WHEREAS during its history, The United Church of Canada has addressed various aspects of energy in policy, study and advocacy; and

WHEREAS the last major General Council comprehensive policy statement on energy was in 1982 and does not reflect the significant United Church work on fossil fuels and climate change over the past 10 years; and

WHEREAS the Division of Mission in Canada has made submissions on nuclear waste to an environmental assessment panel (March 1996) and to the federal government (February 1999) based on the last major General Council policy statement on nuclear energy which was in 1980 and which now could use updating in light of this recent United Church work on nuclear waste; and

WHEREAS United Church of Canada statements on specific energy issues over the past twenty years are largely unconnected one to the other. United Church education and advocacy on energy issues would be enhanced by having an integrated policy statement which is placed within the context of recent developments in ecological ethics and theology; and

WHEREAS the 33rd General Council's policy One Earth Community-Ethical Principles for Environment and Development (August 1992) provides a framework in which to articulate a new General Council policy statement on energy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 37th General Council affirm the following principles:

1. Human societies must learn to live in a much more ecologically integrated manner within the Earth community drawing on energy sources in ways that do not damage ecosystems or compromise the capacity of the Earth to meet the needs of current or future generations;
2. The generation and use of energy must be determined primarily by the needs of all people for a good quality of life, with priority for appropriate and accessible energy for the world's poor;
3. Compliance with international trade agreements should not be given precedence over compliance with international environmental agreements or prevent Canada from adopting measures to reorient its energy policy;
4. Energy policy in Canada should be based on ethical principles of respect for and justice within the One Earth Community, and should shift away from the strategy of expanding supply through energy megaprojects and focus more on managing demand and development of renewable, alternative sources. Specifically, Canada should:
   1. reflect in its domestic and foreign policies a move away from large-scale energy projects which often entail major disruptions to the environment and human communities;
      1. communities and peoples most affected by oil and gas exploration, large-scale hydroelectric development projects, nuclear facilities, and other energy-related mining, production, or waste projects should have the opportunity and intervenor assistance to allow for full and meaningful participation in decision-making regarding those projects;
   2. move beyond our dependence on high carbon fossil fuels which produce emissions leading to climate change;
      1. Canada should ratify the Kyoto Protocol under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;
      2. Canada should concentrate on reducing carbon dioxide emissions within Canada and not rely on mechanisms such as emission trading with other countries to meet our targets for emission reductions under international agreements;
   3. reduce our reliance on nuclear power, a technology which entails a level of risk many find unacceptable and for which there are still unresolved problems such as the safe disposal (or safe storage) of high level wastes of nuclear reactors;
      1. a moratorium should be instituted on the expansion of existing facilities and/or the establishment of new nuclear facilities or uranium mines, such moratorium to extend to the disruption of radioactive deposits and the export of nuclear technology and materials;
      2. in terms of nuclear waste management and disposal, the government should ensure that the full set of options for approaches to nuclear waste management are adequately explored in an open and transparent process with the necessary expertise in social and environmental science and in ethics. Any waste management agency that is set up should operate at arm's length from both the utilities and AECL, with a board and advisory council having broad representation;
   4. manage demand through high priority on conservation and energy efficiency including significant reductions in the energy needed per unit of production and transportation;
      1. government policy should facilitate the reorganization of individual and community lifestyles in order to generate and use energy as efficiently and sustainably as possible;
      2. United Church congregations and members should be encouraged to pursue strategies to increase energy efficiency and conservation within their own buildings and use of transportation;
   5. significantly increase research and development into renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, etc.;
      1. Canada should utilize a variety of fiscal measures to make renewable sources more economically competitive and thus encourage the development of the renewable sector;
      2. United Church congregations and members should be encouraged to opt for green energy when available in their region to help increase the economic viability of alternate renewable sources;
   6. support development and utilization of appropriate technologies for small-scale, decentralized energy systems, including small-scale hydroelectric development;
      1. legislation should be enacted which would allow small-scale electrical generating projects to sell excess power to the electrical utility at a fair price in order to help make such projects economically viable;
   7. provide the necessary supports for individuals, families and communities adversely affected by a transition away from fossil fuels, nuclear power, and large-scale hydro in order to allow for alternate economic development, retraining, relocation, etc.;
      1. intentional programs should be established by public and private sectors in consultation with affected communities to assist in economic transition including alternate economic development, retraining, relocation, etc.;
      2. the United Church, through mechanisms such as its participation in the Canadian Alternative Economic Cooperative, should support alternate economic development initiatives in regions that would be adversely affected by a transition to a new energy approach.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the 37th General Council request the Division of Mission in Canada to communicate recommendations to and take other appropriate initiatives with governments, industry, congregations and United Church members.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE 37th General Council request the Division of Mission in Canada to prepare resources which enable congregations to become "One Earth Communities" or "Creation Communities."

General Council: 37th General Council, 2000
Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 2000 ROP, pp. 710-712.