The Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) has equivocally come in full support of environment groups and experts that have called upon the judiciary, and thin-plastic manufacturing companies to think of Malawi and peoples’ interests and avoid suffocating the implementation of the thin plastics ban.
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In a press release, MCC noted the courts and companies’ actions on the thin plastic ban undermine the Environment Management Plastic Regulations (2015) Act arguing the stay order granted against the implementation of a thin plastic ban effective July 11, 2024 violates God’s Creation through pollution and destruction of the ecosystem.
“MCC is concerned about the companies and their intentions on the environment, and at the same time is deeply concerned at the ‘abuse’ of the legal machinery at the expense of poor Malawians.
“The court injunction on July, 9 2024, to stop the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) from enforcing the ban on thin plastics under the Environment Management Plastic Regulations (2015) is an unfortunate repeat of a court action of 2015 by other plastic manufacturing companies aimed to frustrate government”. reads the statement
An ecumenical body made up of 26 member churches and para-church affiliate organizations spread across the country, its mandate is to be a prophetic voice on issues affecting Malawians.
The Churches Council applauded the collaborative efforts and partnerships demonstrated by the institutions that have come out to challenge the court injunction.
It further called upon all faith leaders to speak-out against thin plastic use and in advocating for alternative packaging such as cloth and bio-degradable paper bags, baskets and other forms that do not run the risk of harming the environment.
“This can be done through faith based platforms, including marriage and youth counseling sessions, sermons, scripture sharing, that embrace youth and children to build a more resilient earth-keeper generation.
“Individuals, couples, families, communities and the nation must be built on the understanding by shunning thin plastics; we can indeed contribute in saving ourselves from more climate change disasters.
“MCC also calls upon government to continue to engage the faith community, CSOs and other like-minded institutions in finding creative ways of safeguarding the environment. Government must provide for alternative environment friendly and climate smart alternatives to the business community in the interest of the environment”
MCC has also been a pivotal player in the We Have Faith – Act Now for Climate Justice Campaign during both UNFCCC COP17 in Durban and COP21 in Paris, aimed to raise awareness and mobilize youth for climate action.
It does this by bringing together faith leaders and communities to advocate for climate justice and the extension of the Kyoto Protocol, and safe spaces to discuss climate science and strategies for effective climate advocacy.
