A Case Example of Advocacy The National Religious Partnership for the Environment

1. A Case Example of AdvocacyThe National Religious Partnership for the Environment The World Bank April 23, 2009 Walter E. Grazer, Special Adviser National Religious Partnership For the Environment

2. Who is the Partnership? • Its Members • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops • National Council of Churches • Evangelical Environmental Network • Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life • Allied faith based organizations like CRS, World Vision, Church World Service, etc.

3. What is the Partnership The Partnership is a formal arrangement among independent religious communities who share a common biblical faith but draw upon distinctive traditions to offer a moral vision and the resources of religious life to a universal effort to protect humankind's common home and well-being on Earth.

4. General Programs While unique and distinctive, each community undertakes scholarship, leadership training, congregational and agency initiatives, and public policy education in service to environmental sustainability and justice.

5. Public Policy • Each community has its own focus—NCC and COEJL—energy, EEN-endangered species, USCCB-health and poverty • Each community has a major statement on climate change/values and policy • Recent common focus-climate/poverty

6. ADVOCACY • “Climate Fairness Agenda: A Religious Call to Address Global Climate Change and Poverty” • Statement of Values and Policy Principles to guide common advocacy efforts • Care for God’s Creation and Love of Neighbor

7. Advocacy Values and Principles • Summary • Commitment to the Common Good—source of solidarity not division • Moral obligation to “stand up for voiceless and vulnerable” • Making protection of people living in poverty a central focus of any climate policy, legislation or treaty • Equal concern for climate/poverty connection here in the US and in the most vulnerable developing nations

8. Advocacy Policy Goals • Assist most vulnerable developing countries—through international adaptation • Promote local community participation in design and administration of adaptation projects • Address deforestation while protecting land tenure and indigenous rights • Best practices • Share appropriate technology on affordable basis

9. Advocacy--History • June 2007—Joint Appearance before US Senate EPW Committee—First time ever • Fairness Agenda Released—October 2007 • Faith community announces displeasure with unreleased Senate bill-Late October 07 • Work starts with Senate sponsors on international adaptation—Senators Boxer, Lieberman and Warner

10. Advocacy--History • Two Step Dance—one foot forward—one foot backward-unfortunately you trip if done a the same time • Development of legislative language on international adaptation • Personal meeting with Senator John Warner—co-sponsor of Senate Climate legislation • Legislation dies in US Senate—June 08

11. Advocacy—HistoryAction Switches to the House • Dormancy stage-June 07-Janaury-09 • Chairman Waxman—Chairman Markey and House draft legislation—released March, 09 • Activities during dormancy stage and during early months of 09 till present work on language and finding champions • Meeting with Chairman Waxman-March 16

12. THE FUTURE • Primary Goal – continue to promote inclusion of strong section on international adaptation in any US climate policy and • Work with new Obama Administration to support international adaptation • Work with faith based colleagues in other countries to garner support for international adaptation in any new international treaty