The Bishop of Salisbury, The Rev Nicholas Holtam, has welcomed a Declaration from 17 Bishops calling for urgent action to tackle climate change.

The group met in South Africa in February and involved bishops from cultures and nations that are major contributors to climate change and those who produce low levels of CO2 but are disproportionately affected.

Their Declaration, The world is our host: A call to urgent action for climate justice, sets a new agenda on climate change for the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion.

Mr Holtam, the Church of England’s representative on the group, said: “We accept the scientific evidence that human activity is more than 95 per cent likely to be the main cause of global warming.

“That our Declaration is issued in Holy Week and addressed to the Church on Good Friday is a mark of the seriousness with which we view the crisis of climate change.

“Climate change is the greatest moral issue facing the world, especially considering the poor are the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

The Declaration commits the bishops to specific first actions including; energy conservation measures in church buildings, more renewable energy, nurturing biodiversity on church land, supporting sustainability in water, food, agriculture and land use, and reviewing churches’ investment practices

Mr Holtham added: “Our call to action is aimed at Dioceses and Provinces across the worldwide Anglican Communion. We are also clear that delivering real change demands forming deep alliances with other churches, other faith groups, and all who care for the Earth.”