Question

To ask the Honourable Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to news release Church of England’s National Investing Bodies launch policy on investing in Extractive Industries, published by the Church of England in November 2017, what steps the Church Commissioners have taken to promote ethical investment policies in respect of the extractive industries to other faiths.

The Extractive Industries Policy of the National Investing Bodies of the Church of England was launched in November 2017. During the development of the policy, we sought views from both faith and non-faith organisations. Since the policy launch, the Church Commissioners have discussed our new approach with various faith and non-faith organisations and are due to present the policy to the Church Investors Group in the coming months.

A number of the areas of the policy require engagement with extractive industry companies. Our approach has been to seek input and collaboration with other faith investors. We have also shared the policy and outlined approach widely within different faith networks. The Commissioners will continue to seek opportunities to work collaboratively with faith and non-faith investors on this issue of particular ethical importance.