A church group is hoping the power of Christ compels Tony Abbott to respect climate science.

The Anglican Church says the Abbott government must change its approach to climate change to one which respects and is based on scientific evidence.

At a meeting of the church’s general synod in Adelaide, a motion was passed calling on the government to "respect and act upon relevant independent evidence-based scientific advice’’ on climate change.

It was passed unanimously the 23 dioceses of the church, who said they were gravely concerned that the Renewable Energy Target was well short of what is needed.

The churches believe that “future generations and other forms of life” will “bear the real cost of our heavy dependence on carbon-based energy”.

The Anglican’s direction is heralded by church leader on environmental issues, Perth Bishop Tom Wilmot.

Bishop Wilmot says people of faith should have an enhanced opinion in the environmental debate, adding theological, moral and ethical dimensions alongside the potential harm to the environment and future economy.

Talking to Fairfax Media after the gathering of the general synod, Bishop Wilmot slammed aspects of the Federal Government’s approach to climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

He says having businessman and self-described climate sceptic Dick Warburton head a review of the Renewable Energy Target makes its outcome clearly pre-determined.

The Bishop also accused Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt of dishonesty over his claims about the effectiveness of the carbon price

“My concern is the Abbott government seems to be deconstructing almost everything that was put in place over the last decade or so to protect the environment,” he said.

“It seems to be neutering any scientific voice and, in fact, any voice that seeks to speak on environmental matters.”

He criticised the handing-over approvals for big developments from the federal government down to the state level.

“My own theology is such that Christ isn’t just the redeemer of people, but the redeemer of the world,” the Bishop said.

“We say in the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday in church ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven'. Well, I take that literally.”