Shrinking the Footprint in every parish

11/06/09

The Bishop of London and a Government minister today spelled out the importance of the Church of England's role in mobilising action on climate change, as its Shrinking the Footprint campaign unveiled energy saving toolkits for every parish in a bid to create the 20% Church by 2050.

Speaking at Lambeth Palace at an event to mark the third anniversary of the CofE’s environmental campaign, the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres urged representatives from all dioceses to go one step further in cutting the carbon reminding them that caring for the planet is a Christian imperative for the sake of future generations.

He said by putting its own house in order the Church could then take an even stronger lead in campaigning for change; at a local level in parishes and in the international arena in the run-up to the important climate change talks at Copenhagen in December.

Joan Ruddock MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change backed the bishop's call at Lambeth Palace:

"The Church of England and other faith communities are to be commended for taking the lead in the fight against climate change, both through reducing their own emissions and highlighting the issue with their parishioners. Today’s event is another significant step, helping to build public support for a global deal on climate change in Copenhagen".

Bishop Richard, who chairs the Shrinking the Footprint campaign added:

"Protecting the most vulnerable from the damaging effects of climate change is a moral imperative for all of those that profess to love their neighbour. Responding to climate change requires immediate action and those in positions of spiritual and moral leadership have a vital part to play.

"In the two years since the launch of the Shrinking the Footprint campaign, the Church of England has taken its own steps towards reducing its carbon footprint. The two year anniversary of the campaign provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the measures taken in Dioceses across the country, to reflect on the further steps that the Church needs to take to become fully carbon neutral and to call on our political leaders to do more to safeguard the future of the planet".

The Diocese of London is carrying out a range of projects including area environmental audits on energy, carbon, water and waste; aiming at a minimum 20.12% saving by 2012.

New toolkits and resources with energy saving tips and guidance for the CofE’s churches, cathedrals, schools and clergy homes are now available at www.shrinkingthefootprint.org. These include downloadable action plans and checklists along with advice on considering the appropriate use of renewable energy in church buildings.

The Bishop of London's conference address can be read here.