The Church of England has come under fire for it investment in Vedanta Resources which is planning an environmentally devastating massive bauxite mine in the Indian state of Orissa. Media reports say the Church has USD4.1 million investment in the UK-listed Vedanta Resources, which is planning to construct the mine in the lush forests of Niyamgiri Hills, considered sacred by the 8,000 strong Dongria Kondh tribes, an already vulnerable indigenous group who have lived there for centuries.
Environmentalists are opposing the mine project as it will cause the death of virgin forests and the animals there. Environmentalist Bianca Jagger has demanded that the Church of England should disassociate from the company’s mining project. International groups like ActionAid and Survival International are urging the Church to exert pressure on the company to withdraw from the controversial project in India.
Church's green policy
The Church has an environmental policy which states that “The whole creation belongs to God. As human beings we are part of the whole and have a responsibility to love and care for what God has entrusted to us as temporary tenants of the planet. We are called to conserve its complex and fragile ecology, whilst recognising the need for responsible and sustainable development and the pursuit of social justice.”
The policy statement further states that the Church investment bodies "must develop their witness by engaging with companies on environmental risk, management and performance, as well as on specific issues such as sustainability and climate change. The Church’s Statement of Ethical Investment Policy includes a commitment to invest in companies that ‘are conscientious with regard to environmental performance."
Environmentalists are opposing the mine project as it will cause the death of virgin forests and the animals there. Environmentalist Bianca Jagger has demanded that the Church of England should disassociate from the company’s mining project. International groups like ActionAid and Survival International are urging the Church to exert pressure on the company to withdraw from the controversial project in India.
Church's green policy
The Church has an environmental policy which states that “The whole creation belongs to God. As human beings we are part of the whole and have a responsibility to love and care for what God has entrusted to us as temporary tenants of the planet. We are called to conserve its complex and fragile ecology, whilst recognising the need for responsible and sustainable development and the pursuit of social justice.”
The policy statement further states that the Church investment bodies "must develop their witness by engaging with companies on environmental risk, management and performance, as well as on specific issues such as sustainability and climate change. The Church’s Statement of Ethical Investment Policy includes a commitment to invest in companies that ‘are conscientious with regard to environmental performance."
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