Climate focused interfaith service and silent vigil to take place in Edinburgh during COP29

As the UN climate summit COP29 gets underway, faith communities in Scotland have announced they'll be staging a service and silent prayer vigil "for brave and bold solutions".

The event will take place at Canongate Kirk this Saturday (16 November) to coincide with the middle Saturday of COP29, often known as the Global Day of Action. Following the service, a silent vigil will take place in front of the Scottish Parliament. It's being organised by Christian Aid and Eco-congregation Scotland, alongside Interfaith Scotland - with a total of 8 organisations taking part.

As with previous COP summits, this year's conference in Azerbaijan presents a vital opportunity for governments to agree to urgent action to deal with the climate emergency. The expected focus this year is on climate finance, the financial support that global north countries will give to poorer countries most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis.

Andrew Tomlinson, Campaigns and Advocacy lead at Christian Aid Scotland, said:

"Many of us are aware that the annual UN climate summit is a critical moment bringing together governments from around the world. As the meetings and conversations take place, we stand in solidarity with all those taking part and pray for brave and bold solutions.

"Saturday's worship and silent prayer vigil provides an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for wisdom, for the sake of our planet and especially for those communities living on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Mr Tomlinson added: "Ambitious and transformative action is the only way forward. We cannot see a repeat of past failures, as has happened in Scotland this year, with the setting of bold emissions targets but only to then scrap them."

Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith Scotland, added:

"Our vigil not only coincides with COP29 but falls during Scottish Interfaith Week. It's crucial that as representatives of Scotland's diverse faith communities we are united in our call for urgent action to tackle climate change and to prevent the huge injustice it's wreaking on people and planet. The evidence could not be clearer that our world is warming and destructive weather patterns are increasing – just recently a year's worth of rain fell in one single day in southern Spain."

Eco-congregation's Rev David Coleman said:

"We're pleased to be involved in Saturday's events – providing an opportunity for faith communities to show that though COP29 may be taking place thousands of miles away in Baku– what happens there impacts us all. We pray for all the decision makers to show courage and compassion. I'm delighted to be taking part on Saturday afternoon and invite anyone who would like to join us to please come along."

The service will take place at 2pm at Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile. It'll then be followed by a silent vigil outside the Scottish Parliament. To find out more please contact Andrew Tomlinson (email: atomlinson@christian-aid.org).