Environmental work so far

This page summarises work done under the Diocese’s programmes for the environment and sustainability, whose purpose is to fulfil our duty to Care for God’s Creation.

We are on a journey – this is how far we’ve travelled:

Campaign organisation and support

• Diocesan Environmental Policy
• Environmental Consultative Forum
• Full-time Head of Environmental and Sustainability.

Measuring and reducing energy use and carbon emissions

• From 2005 to 2021, based on the national Energy Footprint Tool – 28.1% efficiencies in annual energy use, net of renewable energy; 34.6% efficiency improvements in net carbon dioxide (CO₂e) emissions
• Measured estimate of energy use and carbon emissions by diocesan schools since 2019
• Long-term plan for energy, carbon emissions and climate mitigation
• Climate Action Programme – Environmental Audits, Generic Building Solutions, Energy-saving Benchmarking
• 24 audits and resulting projects in Islington churches, paid for by local charity Cloudesley
• Generic Building Solutions; pilot projects beginning with St Mary Magdalene Paddington and St John at Hackney
• Professional advice on smart metering
• DAC study days for quinquennial inspectors on energy conservation and climate readiness.

Water and waste

• Deanery and Synod motions on recycling of waste from churches
• Extension of Energy-saving Benchmarking to include water consumption, waste disposal and recycling
• Zero to landfill waste disposal from Diocesan House; up to 75% recycled.

Wildlife and biodiversity

• Churchyards for London in progress, 31 sites visited and surveyed so far (Greater London wide, with Dioceses of Chelmsford, Southwark and Rochester)
• DAC advice on wildlife in churchyards
• Guidance on trees in churchyards.

Parishes and people

• Eco Church launched at St Paul’s Cathedral – more than 140 participant churches, 50 award winners
• Network of Parish Environmental Champions
• Support for the Environment and Mission Action Plans
• Advice on energy efficient lighting and heating
• Advice on switching to green electricity suppliers
• Climate Action Projects – at least 42 solar PV panels installations to churches and halls, houses and schools
• Green roof and energy piles at St Paul Hammersmith Church Centre (RIBA Award winning)
• Advice upon energy-saving and sustainability, many other parish building projects, with Parish Property Support Team and DAC
• Numerous parish audits and policies, local green initiatives eg in saving energy, lightbulb replacement, water and waste reduction, ethical food
• Green Corners awards to churchyards
• Lent Carbon Fast, Environment and Education Sundays, Creation Time
• Participation by local churches in ‘Transition Towns’, including Transition Ealing
• St Paul’s Cathedral – extensive environmental programme.

Church schools

• Energy and carbon emissions measured and benchmarked
• Diocesan Board for Schools environmental policy and action.

Parsonages

• Home energy surveys and upgrades to parsonages
• Programme of double glazing progressing to parsonages
• Low carbon parsonage development projects – new Code 6 Vicarages for St John Wembley and St Nicholas Perivale complete; Wembley awarded the then highest score ever by Building Research Establishment
• More low carbon and ‘Passivhaus’ clergy houses completed and in the pipeline.

Diocesan office

• Environmental audit and upgrades to 36 Causton Street, Display Energy Certificate (Band C)
• 2012 savings target exceeded, 2020 and 2050 targets part achieved
• Exclusive use of recycled paper
• Zero to landfill, up to 75% recycling
• Energy-saving IT systems, reconditioning of used computers.

Risk management

• Diocesan risk analysis on extreme weather and flooding
• Rapid response to flooded communities.

Wider outreach

• Public events programme
• Policy and engagement on Heathrow airport expansion (opposing a third runway)
• Collaboration with national C of E Environmental Programme
• General Synod motion, jointly with Truro Diocese, passed February 2019, to raise C of E’s contribution to the environment and climate change mitigation
• Involvement in consultations by Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – including establishing Energy Footprint Tool
• Collaboration with other national and local government bodies, NGOs and educational charities
• Articles in Church Times, RICS, British Wildlife and other journals
• Participation in national Climate Week, International Year of Biodiversity
• Interfaith cooperation on climate change and the environment, with national Church and Lambeth Palace, Alliance of Religions and Conservation, the UN Secretary-General and the C of E’s ‘Church and Earth’ long-term plan, as well as individual faith groups.

International

• Collaboration with ALMA (Angola London Mozambique Association), eg in Lent Appeals for water and transportation projects
• Partnership visit to Anglican Province of Southern Africa
• Route around the World event in St George Bloomsbury.

Links

Church of England Environment Programme
Diocesan Environmental Policy
Climate Action Programme
Climate Action Projects.

Head of Environment and Sustainability.

Environment and Sustainability, front page.

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