'Think Global, Act Local' is an apt and popular slogan.
Although the environmental debate is on a global scale, there are many practical ways for people and organisations to contribute to the effort.
‘Think Global, Act Local’ is an apt and popular slogan. Although much of the environmental debate is on a global scale, there are many practical ways for people and organisations to contribute to the effort.
So far, over 300 churches in the Diocese have taken part in one environment-related project or another. Every church is urged to play a full part in the effort to lessen our environmental impact. Everyone needs to play their part if we are to achieve our shared goals.
We owe a debt to the energy and dedication of these champions. A group is even better than one individual. Their pooled time and efforts will be greater; the challenge to care for God’s creation should be shared; it’s easier for a group to draw in more people.
Every church in the Diocese is encouraged to sign up to Eco Church, the nationwide Christian environmental awards scheme, and to take action towards gaining an Eco Church award.
Participation in Eco Church helps to build environmmental concern into every aspect of the church’s worship and mission.
So far, more than 140 churches in the Diocese have signed up for Eco Church, and 50 of these have gained Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.
Since 2007, churches in the Diocese have been encouraged to measure their energy use (from 2005 onwards). Figures for energy consumption have been requested as part of Parish Annual Returns.
The Diocese is now using the national Energy Footprint Tool, part of Parish Annual Returns. This system also calculates a church’s carbon footprint and benchmarks it against neutral standards, awarding A++ to G grades for energy and carbon efficiency according to a church’s size and activities.
This information is very useful in implementing our ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ effort. Not only does it measure our progress in helping tackle climate change; it also promotes energy security, and helps us reduce costs.
Once we have measured our energy use and carbon footprint, we need to take steps to reduce them, by:
Most of our churches have already taken some or all of these actions.
Churches are encouraged to take part in the Diocese’s Climate Action Programme with projects to improve the energy and carbon efficiency of its buildings in a manner appropriate to its particular circumstances, to build environmental concern into all its maintenance and development plans.
Examples of such projects include Solar Panels.
It is also vital that we are as economical as we can be in our use of water and that we recycle regularly and effectively.
The lessons we learn in church should be taken home with us to our everyday lives – whether that be at work, school or college, in our free time or on holiday.
There are so many ways for individuals and families to reduce our environmental impact and help tackle climate change – while still enjoying ‘fullness of life’.
This includes our shopping habits, the food we eat and how we travel.
Head of Environment and Sustainability.
Eco Church
Mission Action Plans
Creation Care Champions.
Measuring energy use
Parish Annual Returns.
Lighting and energy use
Heating and energy use
Green Energy Suppliers.
Climate Action Programme
Climate Action Projects
Generating your own energy
Solar panels
Climate Action Finance.
Conserving water in church and home
Waste collection and recycling
Food and drink
Transport and travel.
Environment and Sustainability, front page.
