A former Archbishop of Canterbury has joined religious leaders from across the world in a world-first climate repentance ceremony.

Held in London, the meeting saw leaders from a range of faiths come together to apologise for sins committed against the planet. 

It follows a call from the Pope, who said it was time for humans to "repent and modify our lifestyles and destructive systems". 

Organised by the Elijah Interfaith Institute, the group marched up Parliament Hill to mimic the walk up Mount Sinai. They carried scrolls bearing the Ten Principles for Climate Repentance before proclaiming the principles from the viewpoint. 

Currently the COP-27 conference is underway in Sharm-El-Skeikh, just 200km from the Egyptian mountain where the Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses. 

After their proclamations, the leaders gathered at the New North London Synagogue for a two-hour ceremony. 

Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, said: "Humans have caused untold harm to our precious planet. Climate repentance means all of us holding up our hands to climate sins, something that is all too often missing from these conversations. 

"Only when we deeply acknowledge the past and the present, can we make the courageous changes necessary for a future of climate justice. The Ten Principles set out the path for that future.

The principles proclaimed from the top of the hill include: We are stewards of this world; creation manifests divinity; everything in life is interconnected; do no harm; look after tomorrow; rise above ego for our world; change our inner climate; repent and return; every action matters; use mind, open heart.