Something quite significant happened in Cardiff at the end of March, and local churches were right in the middle of it.
On 26 March, Cardiff Council voted to endorse the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. It’s a big step, and it makes Cardiff the first council in Wales to support this growing international movement. The aim? To stop new fossil fuel developments, phase out existing ones, and do it in a way that’s fair for workers and communities.
Ahead of the vote, members of Beulah URC, City URC and Canton Uniting Church gathered alongside others from the Cardiff Eco Churches network. Leo from CUC was also able to join on the day. Together with partners including Climate Cymru and Global Justice Now, they showed visible support for the motion, and for the bigger picture behind it.
This wasn’t a one-off moment. It’s the result of months of steady, faithful campaigning.
Churches have been writing to councillors, hosting events, inviting speakers, and finding creative ways to keep climate justice on the agenda. During the Show the Love campaign, people signed letters, heard from activists, and took part in conversations about what a just future might look like. Lanterns from the Cymru Cares campaign were used to shine a light – literally and symbolically – on the need for action.
And it worked.
Councillors heard those voices. The motion passed. And Cardiff now joins cities like London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, along with countries around the world, in backing a coordinated global response to the climate crisis.
Eileen Newington from Cardiff Eco Churches put it simply:
“The fossil-fuelled climate emergency is already causing flooding and extreme weather in Wales. A global exit plan will help protect people here and worldwide.”
For many involved, this wasn’t just about environmental policy—it was about faith in action. Caring for creation, standing with vulnerable communities, and speaking up where it matters.
There’s also a brilliant short video from the day, shared by Climate Cymru, which captures the atmosphere and highlights the role of Eco Churches in the campaign.
Moments like this can feel small in the grand scheme of things, but they’re not. They’re a reminder that when churches work together, build relationships, and keep showing up, change can happen.
And maybe just as importantly, they offer hope.
