Church of England governing body approves divestment policy

General Synod votes in favour of policies to mitigate climate change and divesting from tar sands and coal companies

The Church of England's governing body has thrown its weight behind efforts to slow climate change by backing the move earlier this year to divest its resources from from companies involved in extracting two of the most polluting fossil fuels.

In May, the Church Commissioners, who manage investments worth 6bn, took the decision to divest from tar sands oil and thermal coal - the first time they had ever imposed investment restrictions on environmental grounds.