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This site relies on individual donations to help cover the costs of maintenance and development.

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The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis produced by two research organisations tracking climate action since 2009. We track progress towards the globally agreed aim of holding warming well below 2°C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

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Welcome to Global Neighbours - our exciting school accreditation scheme.

In partnership with the Church of England's Education Office, we want to encourage a deeper understanding of global injustice and equip school pupils across England to tackle this and become courageous advocates for change.

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Global Neighbours accreditation scheme - Christian Aid

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Welcome to Global Neighbours - our exciting school accreditation scheme. In partnership with the Church of England's Education Office, we want to encourage a deeper understanding of global injustice and equip school pupils across England to tackle this and become courageous advocates for change.

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The UK's zero carbon schools campaign, uniting schools working to become carbon zero by 2030 and safeguard the planet for future generations.

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Rise to the moment - Relay to COP26! (Oct 8/9th)

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Rise to the moment - Relay to COP26! (Oct 8/9th)

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https://togetherliverpool.org.uk/initiatives/rise-to-the-moment-relay-to-cop-26-merseyside

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Join us on a Rise to the Moment pilgrimage to Liverpool Cathedral as we seek climate justice, in the run up to the UN COP26 climate conference.

People of all faiths and none will walk in solidarity and bear witness to the climate emergency, by joining the relay on October 8 & 9, with five routes starting from churches in Southport, Ormskirk, St Helens, Speke and Wirral.

The relay will visit churches across the Diocese of Liverpool along the way, culminating at Liverpool Cathedral for Evensong at 3pm on Saturday October 9.

Inspired by Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) who want to see climate justice agreed at the COP26 world leaders' conference in November, the event is being supported by Christian Aid and supporters, Together Liverpool's Network of Kindness project, and Faiths4Change.

Participants will be writing their hopes and prayers for climate justice on paper to be folded into origami boats to be passed along the relay. They will then be taken to Glasgow to be part of a national display.

The boat is YCCN's symbol of hope that we can #RiseToTheMoment and use this year to set sail towards a more just future.

Final details of the local route are still being confirmed and so please watch this space! We will be sharing more details of the routes, which churches will be visited along the way, and how to get involved, in the next few weeks.

It has been organised as a tributary to the national YCCN Relay to COP26 from St Ives to Glasgow happening now. People can turn up to join any of the routes for a short time, or complete the full distance.

Among the churches so far confirmed to be hubs along the route are: Christchurch Southport, St John's Ainsdale, St Stephen's Hightown, St Luke's Crosby, and St Bride's Liverpool.

If your church would like to be involved please email: Eirlys Jessop
Anyone interested is encouraged to bookmark this web page, join the Rise to the Moment: Relay to Cop 26 Facebook group, or follow @TogethLiv on Twitter or see our Facebook page.

What is COP26?

For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits - called COPs - which stands for 'Conference of the Parties'. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.

COP26 is the 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties, aka the 26th year that governments, NGOs, trade unions, businesses, and everyone else with any interest in climate change meets to review and negotiate global action. Taking place from 1-12 November 2021 - delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic - the world is headed to Glasgow, Scotland, formally hosted under the UK Presidency.

In the run up to COP26 the UK is working with every nation to reach agreement on how to tackle climate change. World leaders will arrive in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses and citizens for twelve days of talks.

We are joining YCCN in calling upon the UK Government to:

Reinstate the foreign aid budget to pre-COVID levels.

Secure agreement from rich countries to double the commitment of $100bn a year for climate finance

Develop with other governments and international organisations a new regulated climate loss and damage mechanism which not only saves lives but livelihoods.

Push for the debts of the world's poorest countries to be cancelled so they can better confront the climate crisis and other urgent priorities

Please join us and pray for the UN Leaders who will be meeting in November will see Climate Change as a global emergency.

Please pray that they will commit to ensure that people are protected, and that no country will go into debt tackling climate change, especially those countries who are most affected from climate change yet have contributed the least.

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Rise to the Moment: Relay to Cop 26 - Merseyside - Together Liverpool

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Join us on a Rise to the Moment pilgrimage to Liverpool Cathedral as we seek climate justice, in the run up to the UN COP26 climate conference. People of all faiths and none will walk in solidarity and bear witness to the climate emergency, by joining the relay on October 8 & 9, with five routes starting from churches in Southport, Ormskirk, St Helens, Speke and Wirral.

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Ring out for the climate (30th Oct: 6 - 6.30pm)

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Ring out for the climate (30th Oct: 6 - 6.30pm)

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Latest Environment News: The countdown to COP

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Welcome to the autumn Environmental Bulletin, This is a critical time for God's creation, and for the world's economically poorest people, as the last few weeks count down towards the international UN climate talks in November, in Glasgow (COP26). Faith organisations are working together to have a strong faith voice at the talks.

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The theme for the Season of Creation 2021 is A Home for All, renewing the oikos of God. Oikos means 'home' or 'family' and is the root of our words starting with 'eco' like 'ecology' and 'economics'. The last year has been a wake up call to the need to restore our relationships with God, creation and each other. The ideas and resources in the Celebration Guide will help you find a way to pray or to hold an event or special service. Find out more about the Season of Creation here.

Churches have been holding Climate Sunday services all year, and the Season of Creation is a great time to hold yours. In the final few months leading up to the UN global climate change talks in November 2021 (COP26), we'll be encouraging churches to hold a special Climate Sunday service or event, to make a commitment to tackle climate change, and to raise their voices to call on world leaders to do the same.

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Season of Creation | The Church of England

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The theme for the Season of Creation 2021 is A Home for All, renewing the oikos of God. Oikos means 'home' or 'family' and is the root of our words starting with 'eco' like 'ecology' and 'economics'. The last year has been a wake up call to the need to restore our relationships with God, creation and each other.

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A useful book linking the Gospel with safeguarding creation.

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A useful book linking the Gospel with safeguarding creation.

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Home › MEv 134 Climate Action as Mission: How to Link the Gospel with Safeguarding Creation

grovemission and evangelism

£2.77

Environmental concerns have sometimes been viewed as detached from the core mission of the church. Yet as a consequence of systemic injustice, and interwoven with poverty and human need, climate change is an issue of particular relevance to Christians.

This powerful guide issues an urgent call for churches to step out and stand alongside people, wherever they might be, to speak up for the Earth as a gift of God, to engage in prophetic activism against unjust structures, and to safeguard the integrity of creation in which in Christ, all is connected.

Grace Thomas is a curate in the Diocese of Manchester, Diocesan Environment Officer and climate campaigner. She is also a tutor at the Luther King Centre, Manchester.

Books by Grace Thomas
View all books by Grace Thomas

Mark Coleman is a retired priest in the Diocese of Manchester and an activist in Christian Climate Action and Extinction Rebellion.

Books by Mark Coleman
View all books by Mark Coleman

New and Recent

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MEv 134 Climate Action as Mission: How to Link the Gospel with Safeguarding Creation

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Environmental concerns have sometimes been viewed as detached from the core mission of the church. Yet as a consequence of systemic injustice, and interwoven with poverty and human need, climate change is an issue of particular relevance to Christians.

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Useful Eco Church Webinars to be found here.

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Useful Eco Church Webinars to be found here.

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Eco Church is an ecumenical programme and, whilst these webinars are being hosted by the Church of England Environment Programme, they are open to all churches to attend.

1. An introduction to and overview of Eco Church - Getting started

This webinar will tell you everything you need to know to get started. Come along if you've heard of Eco Church but haven't started yet, and want to know a little more before you take the plunge. The webinar will answer questions like: "What is Eco Church? Why take part? How does the award scheme work? What does it cost? Where should we start?" it will be filled with practical examples of churches around the country who have made changes, using Eco Church as a framework.

Speaker: Helen Stephens is the Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK, and absolutely central to the running of the Eco Church programme across the country. Helen has supported hundreds of churches to get started in their Eco Church journey, and has a wealth of practical advice to offer.

Dates:

2. Working towards an award and maintaining momentum

This webinar is aimed at people in churches who have registered for Eco Church and taken their first steps, but need a little help to get things going and work towards their Bronze award. The webinar will cover typical barriers, and give you tips on how to get around them and maintain your momentum. The webinar will contain practical examples of churches who have got to Bronze and how they got there.

Speaker: Helen Stephens is the Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK, and absolutely central to the running of the Eco Church programme across the country. Helen has supported hundreds of churches to get started in their Eco Church journey, and has a wealth of practical advice to offer.
Dates:

3. Working towards Net Zero Carbon

This looks at the links between Eco Church and Net Zero Carbon; how they are different and how they inter-connect. It will focus mainly on the 'Buildings' section of the Eco Church survey, since it is heating and lighting a church building which creates most of a church's carbon footprint. The webinar will explain about free carbon footprinting tools available to churches.

Speaker: Helen Stephens is the Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK, and absolutely central to the running of the Eco Church programme across the country. Helen has supported hundreds of churches to get started in their Eco Church journey, and has a wealth of practical advice to offer.

Dates:
We have a whole range of Net Zero Carbon webinars, and you can find the other topics here.

4. Land

This webinar will tell you all about the 'Land' section of the Eco Church framework, why it matters, and filled with practical examples of what churches around the country have achieved.

Even urban churches will find out what's possible, whether it's installing planters and swift boxes, or forming partnerships to help others nearby.

Speakers: Helen Stephens and Andy Lester from A Rocha UK, who run the Eco Church Programme. Helen is their Church Relations Manager and Andy is their Head of Conservation.

Date: Thursday 10th June, 4-5pm. watch the recording here
This webinar is one part of a week-long webinar series, as part of Churches Count on Nature Week. You can see the whole webinar programme here.

St John's Church, Ben Rhydding (Bronze)

Worship and Teaching was one of St John's highest scoring areas on the Eco Church survey. This was thanks to initiatives like their animal blessing service, which has been a much-loved service at St John's. Reflecting on the service as part of their wider Eco Church efforts, St John's said:

"We particularly wanted it to be more than a pet service, so as to include farmed and wild animals too. We were able to highlight, and pray for, some of the serious challenges facing animals in all contexts, together with some of the organisations working to change these for the better.

We have run two of these services and they have been great fun. Would anyone actually come, we wondered rather anxiously!

But they did. At first, a lovely mixture of youngsters and adults, with: nine dogs, three guinea pigs, a hamster, and several cats by proxy. They all behaved beautifully, and each one was individually introduced to everyone, and prayed for, human companions too. We distributed tasty treats as animals left, and there was such a buzz of animal and human interaction!"

Could you try holding an animal blessing at your church for the festival of Francis of Assisi?

Christ Church East Greenwich (Silver)

Christ Church East Greenwich were awarded a Silver Eco Church award in 2019. In seeking to affirm the fifth mark of mission, they had a month's teaching and worship series centred on the environment, in conjunction with harvest. In 2020, they dedicated all of the teaching during Lent to environmental issues, using Ruth Valerio's book Saying Yes to Life and the Church of England's #LiveLent resources. They also created their own small group resources to be used in conjunction with Ruth Valerio's book, available on their website.

Christ Church, Selly Park (Bronze)

Funded by a legacy gift by one if its members, Christ Church installed solar panels on its roof as part of its broader environmental aims. Some 70 panels were installed and since their installation in 2018 the system has generated over 30,000 units (KWh) of power, exceeding initial expectations. A display monitor in the church building shows an up-to-date record of the power generated and carbon saved by the panels, which means the congregation can easily see the impact that the panels are having.

St Paul's Church, St Alban's (Bronze)

When St Paul's undertook a building project in 2009, they were committed to doing it in a way that was as sustainable as possible. The key elements for consideration were material selection and energy efficiency. Existing material was reused where possible and Enviroblock was used for new internal walls, made of at least 80% recycled content. They also sought to use recycled floor materials where possible, as well as using marmoleum - a product made from natural and renewable materials.

Solar panels were installed on the roof, and to date the church has avoided emitting over 44 tonnes of carbon as a result of the electricity they have been able to produce. In conjunction with the use of insulating boards for some walls, double-glazed windows, and thermostat-controlled radiators, St Paul's have ensured that all energy used is done so in the most efficient way.

Read more about their building project and other eco-initiatives here.

All Saints Church, Hethel (Silver)

In February 2018, a set of four Mitsubishi air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) were installed in Hethel Church. A detailed Powerpoint presentation explaining the heating needs of the church and why air-source heat pumps proved to the best option is available from All Saints' A Church Near You page.

Lee Abbey, Devon (Silver)

Water from streams in the forest on Lee Abbey's estate powers a hydro-electric turbine generating about a quarter to a third of their electricity each year. Lee Abbey also have hot water solar panels installed on the roof of one of their community buildings and they hope to convert to using biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps for heating their premises.

Christ Church, Toxteth (Gold)

Among other steps that Christ Church Toxteth Park are taking to preserve and protect the natural environment around them, they have started calculating their carbon footprint for each year and looking at ways to offset their emissions through carbon reduction policies. In 2019, they did this by planting trees in the North West of England through the Tree Appeal. They have also been encouraging the congregation to calculate their own carbon footprint and think about ways to reduce or mitigate their impact on the planet.

St James's, Piccadilly (Gold)

St James's Piccadilly is one of England's first Gold Eco Churches. By regularly auditing their energy usage they have been able to identify ways of reducing and offsetting emissions. Solar panels installed on the roof of the church generate 3,500 kWh of renewable electricity each year, and they pay to offset their non-renewable gas usage through the Woodland Carbon Code and Forest Carbon programmes.

St James's have documented their Eco Church journey in each of the five categories via a slideshow, which is viewable here.

St Luke's, Crosby (Bronze)

St Luke's have developed their grounds and made them accessible to the public via the Quiet Garden Movement, offering space for prayer, reflection, and rest. The gardens have been cultivated as an expression of caring for God's creation with an effort made to use recycled or repurposed materials, while also creating an environment attractive to local wildlife.

In addition, St Luke's have installed three bee hives, managed by the local community, and the honey produced is sold locally with proceeds supporting A Rocha Kenya. You can read more about their beekeeping here.

St Edward's, Plymouth (Silver)

In 2017, St Edward's set about improving their churchyard to make it a sanctuary for those from the local community, who could themselves be involved in its renovation. They were keen to improve the churchyard's biodiversity, setting the following goals as part of the project:

Protecting now-flowing plans, such as lichens and mosses growing on walls and memorials.

Improving the diversity of native trees and shrubs.

Regulating the grass mowing regime in specified areas to allow some of the dormant wildflowers to flower and seed.

Creating a biblical herb garden containing examples of herbs and plants mentioned in the Bible.

Establishing bird nesting boxes and bat roosting boxes.

By improving their churchyard's biodiversity, St Edward's were also able to achieve a Silver Eco Church award. Learn more about their churchyard on their website.

St Peter's and St Francis, Frimley (Silver)

As part of their wider Eco Church activities - including holding services themed around Creationtide, holding a world animal day, and introducing Fairtrade products - St Peter's and St Francis have created several resources for exploring their churchyard, helping visitors to discover their local biodiversity. They also have a Facebook page sharing ideas and resources.

Combe St Nicholas (Bronze)

Combe St Nicholas offer their local community an accessible recycling drop off point in an area where kerbside plastic recycling is not available. This enables local residents, particularly those who might struggle to get to a larger council-run recycling centre, to keep recycling their household plastic and also enables the church to be a point of contact for those living locally. In addition to plastic recycling, they also coordinate crisp packet and milk bottle top collection, and the church itself has achieved plastic-free status.

St James, Woodley (Bronze)

In conjunction with the local council, St James have been advocating for the local and global changes needed in response to the climate crisis. They also have an active Facebook group, which shares environment related news and ideas.

St John and St Stephen's Church, Reading (Silver)

St John and St Stephen's have been on an eco-journey for over a decade. One of the challenges they describe was convincing those who were sceptical about the importance of climate justice. But as this resistance eased, they have been able to introduce many green initiatives, including encouraging congregation members to walk or cycle where possible. Joanna Laynesmith, a member of St John and St Stephen's, blogs about her experiences of Eco Church here.

St Andrew's, Rugby (Gold)

As one of the few Gold Eco Churches in the country, St Andrew's is engaged in a wide range of environment-conscious practices, which includes running Eco-Fayres for the local community. A member of their congregation, who often has a stall at the fayres, blogs about her experiences of trying to live plastic-free.

A giant globe takes the breath of two onlookers suspended high above Salisbury Cathedral's medieval nave

A giant globe takes the breath of two onlookers suspended high above Salisbury Cathedral's medieval nave

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Eco Church is an ecumenical programme and, whilst these webinars are being hosted by the Church of England Environment Programme, they are open to all churches to attend. 1. An introduction to and overview of Eco Church - Getting started This webinar will tell you everything you need to know to get started.

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Some new webinars coming up - well worth a look!

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Some new webinars coming up - well worth a look!

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Our webinar programme

Audience, length and how to book

Our webinars are aimed at a wide range of people; diocesan staff/volunteers working in roles with an environmental aspect to them, those running cathedrals, TEIs, or other institutions, individual clergy, church wardens and parishioners who want to make changes to their churches.

The webinars on low carbon technologies are designed to be "technical webinars for non-technical people" and do not require prior knowledge.

Webinars are generally an hour long, with around 40-45 minutes of content and then time for some questions at the end, submitted through the 'chat' area.

Places on all webinars are free but must be booked using the links below. Before the webinar, you will be sent a Zoom link showing you how to join.

Webinars on getting started: forming your team, action planning, and measuring net zero [completed - find the videos below]

These webinars give an overview of where a diocese can start on it's net zero journey. They are aimed at diocesan staff and volunteers, but there will be much of interest to other audiences too.

1. Forming your team

Speaker: Jo Chamberlain, National Environment Officer, Mission and Public Affairs, at the Church of England
Having run this topic several times, we have no future dates planned.
Watch a recording Missed it? here .

Want us to run it again? email [email protected]

2. Action planning

Speaker: Jo Chamberlain, National Environment Officer, Mission and Public Affairs, at the Church of England
Having run this topic several times, we have no future dates planned.
Watch a recording Missed it? here .

Webinars on moving your buildings towards net zero

These webinars focus in on bricks and mortar issues; what we can do to reduce our use of energy, what makes the most difference, and what is practical?

*NEW* 3. Conservation pitfalls and how to avoid them, en route to Net Zero Carbon

This webinar will cover

some of the conservation pitfalls that projects often encounter, when trying to make environmental changes to historic buildings, and how to avoid them,

questions people can ask themselves at the very beginning of a project, which will help get projects on the right track,

examples of changes which can be made that are good environmentally and good for the conservation of historic buildings / interiors.

Speaker: Tobit Curteiss, Architectural Conservator at Tobit Curteis Associates LLP.

Tobit runs a practice specialising in the diagnosis and control of environmental deterioration in historic buildings and the conservation of wall paintings. As well as extensive work with churches and cathedrals, Tobit also works for private and institutional clients, including English Heritage, the National Trust, and Historic Royal Palaces. He is an accredited member of the Institute for Conservation, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and a fellow of the International Institute of Conservation.

This webinar is running twice:

*NEW* 4. Getting to "yes" for your environmental project - Successfully navigating the faculty system

This webinar is aimed at representatives of churches around the country, DAC staff and advisors, archdeacons and architects. It will focus on the practicalities of how churches who want to carry out environmentally-minded projects (insulation, heating, solar, EV car charging and the like) can best navigate the faculty system. How can they 'get to yes' by designing the right project and making their case well?

To cover:

What can churches do within list A. list B, and what needs full faculty, and why?

Who should they get input from, and when, in the process?

How do they prepare and present their application? What information is needed? What does a good project look like?

What will their archdeacon want to know, and why? What will the DAC want to know? If it comes to the Church Buildings Council, what will the CBC want to know?

Panel:

Ven Malcolm Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield & Rotherham,

Lisa McIntyre, the Leeds Diocese DAC Secretary,

Keri Dearmer, an experienced case officer in the national Cathedral and Church Buildings Division,

Nigel Walter, a conservation architect and member of the Church Buildings Council.

Note - this webinar is 1.5 hours long.

Monday 22nd November - noon-1:30pm. BOOK HERE.

*NEW* 5. Finding the balance: assessing embodied carbon in retrofit projects on church buildings

When considering strategies to reduce emissions in operation, there is a danger that the measures themselves could cause more emissions in the manufacture and installation than they would save in practice - and thus achieves the opposite of what is desired.

This is a particular risk in large buildings with relatively low energy demand, especially those used only intermittently. It is thus necessary to be able to compare "embodied" and "operational" carbon emissions and to understand how a changing energy supply matrix affects decisions in the long run.

The webinar will provide participants with the basic information required to understand the subject, and a framework for making decisions which take embodied carbon into account.

Speakers: Nigel Griffiths, Policy Adviser for the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance and Douglas Kent, Technical and Research Director, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Tuesday 30th November, 12:00-13:00. BOOK HERE.

Webinars on low carbon solutions - heating, lighting, solar and more

These are " technical webinars for non-technical people ", explaining how each technology can help your church move towards the goal of net zero carbon, and the real practicalities of taking action.

The speaker delivering each webinar has been chosen after a tendering exercise, based on their expertise in the field and practical knowledge.

4. The Effective Management of Lighting Towards Net Zero

This webinar will cover church lighting - in all forms. The focus will be on how changes in the use of lighting can impact positively on the goal of becoming net zero carbon. Whilst LED lighting is now seen as the most efficient and effective light source it is the extent of use and the management of lighting that determines the energy utilisation and the impact on carbon use.

Speaker: Bruce Kirk from Light Perceptions. Bruce has designed lighting schemes for more than 200 parish churches and twenty cathedrals, and has 25 years experience as a DAC advisor.

*NEW* 7. The basics of heat pumps

Decarbonising heat is key to achieving Net Zero Carbon. One way to achieve this is to install a heat pump, but this is only suitable for churches in certain circumstances.

This workshop will look at the basics of heat pumps (mainly air source and ground source heat pumps). It will discuss their use, where heat pumps work well, and how to make sure their use is optimised.

The session will also look at some of the common problems that occur with heat pumps. It will give an indication of costs for church installations, but these are very case-by-case.

Speaker: Mark Taylor from TM Energy Solutions is speaking on behalf of the Energy Managers Association. The EMA is dedicated to establishing best-practice in Energy Management and putting Energy Management at the heart of British business.

Dates:

*NEW* Webinars on environmental fundraising

Fundraising is competitive, and there is no easy answer, but our two webinars will help get you started. Part 1 covers environmental funding opportunities and Part 2 covers how to fundraise. We recommend coming to both sessions, at lunchtime on Tue 7th Sep and Thur 9th Sep.

Part 1 - Opportunities

This first webinar will cover:

An introduction to the funding landscape for environmental projects in churches, including the Covid-19 context

What are the different types of funding available: trusts and foundations, statutory grants, loans, corporate support, individuals, public campaigns?

What are the success rates in applying for these types of funding?

Which type of funding is suitable for different projects, both in scale and type?

How and where can you find out about the opportunities for you, and what do you need to look out for?

Note: The webinar is longer than usual, at 1.5 hours, to allow more time for questions.
Speaker: Andrew Evans, Senior Consultant, Philanthropy Company. Andrew is an experienced fundraising director and consultant who has secured seven figure donations from both individual donors and grant-makers in areas including churches, arts and heritage, health and community development. This has included environmental projects such as LED lighting projects and adding insultation when re-roofing. He also brings strong credentials and personal commitment to environmental sustainability projects, including working pro bono to help his own church secure its Gold EcoChurch award.

Date: Tuesday 7th September, 12:00-13:30. REGISTER HERE.

Part 2 - How to start fundraising

This second webinar will cover:

How to plan a fundraising strategy for your environmental project - what are the stages and what are the tools and information you need to have to hand before you start?

How to communicate the need for your environmental project - your case for support

Different styles of approach for different types of funder

Common challenges and pitfalls

Note: The webinar is longer than usual, at 1.5 hours, to allow more time for questions.
Speaker: Andrew Evans, Senior Consultant, Philanthropy Company. Andrew is an experienced fundraising director and consultant who has secured seven figure donations from both individual donors and grant-makers in areas including churches, arts and heritage, health and community development. This has included environmental projects such as LED lighting projects and adding insultation when re-roofing. He also brings strong credentials and personal commitment to environmental sustainability projects, including working pro bono to help his own church secure its Gold EcoChurch award.

Date: Thursday 9th September, 12:00-13:30. REGISTER HERE.

Other webinars from the Church of England Environment Programme

Eco Church programme webinars

We have four Eco Church webinars, available to book on this page.

1. An introduction and overview of eco church - getting started

2. Working towards an award and gaining momentum

3. Working towards net zero carbon with Eco Church

4. Land

Eco Church is an ecumenical programme and, whilst these webinars are being hosted by the Church of England Environment Programme, they are open to all churches to attend. BOOK HERE

Environmental webinars for schools

Our Education Office has started a new series of environmental webinars for schools.

The first webinar, in June 2021, outlined the Net Zero Carbon target and next steps. It covered what the net zero target includes, how to measure the carbon footprint of your school, and then featured Alex Green of " UK Climate Change * Lets Go Zero". This important campaign helps to provide all schools with a clear roadmap to net zero carbon by improving their understanding of energy usage, reducing consumption and helping to identify opportunities for efficiencies.

SAVE THE DATE: The next webinar is on October 14th, 4pm.

It will cover:

Net Zero Project Case Studies

Schools Environmental Footprint Calculator Demo

Climate Change Coalition Resources - host a 'Mini COP'

If you would like to register your interest in future webinars, please email [email protected]

Useful webinars programmes from other organisations

We share links here to some other organisations webinar programme, where we think they are of particular relevance.

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Webinars on getting to net zero carbon | The Church of England

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Audience, length and how to book Our webinars are aimed at a wide range of people; diocesan staff/volunteers working in roles with an environmental aspect to them, those running cathedrals, TEIs, or other institutions, individual clergy, church wardens and parishioners who want to make changes to their churches.

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Energy Companies which meet CofE Energy Footprint Tool 'Green Suppliers' Criteria in 2021.

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Energy Companies which meet CofE Energy Footprint Tool 'Green Suppliers' Criteria in 2021.

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Charitable Grants for churches (p32-58 for environmental grants)                            https://www.parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Charitable-Grants-for-Churches-Jul-2020.pdf

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Charitable Grants for churches (p32-58 for environmental grants)                            https://www.parishresources.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Charitable-Grants-for-Churches-Jul-2020.pdf

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Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis

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The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report addresses the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change, bringing together the latest advances in climate science.

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Some excellent upcoming webinars (July and beyond)

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Some excellent upcoming webinars (July and beyond)

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🌍 Details of July's webinars from the Church of England Environment Programme

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Below are July's webinars. This month, you will find EcoChurch and heat pumps, then our webinar programme takes a summer break. We're back with two sessions in early September on the all-important issue of environmental fundraising. Come to our Season of Creation series, on different aspects of environmental worship.

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The Carbon Footprint of Cut Flowers.

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The carbon footprint of flowers - Flowers from the Farm

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Add a new comment - share your eco actions, links, events and resources

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Add a new comment - share your eco actions, links, events and resources

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Instructions: click the plus sign on the pink circle in the bottom right hand corner of the screen to add a new box. Write your name / church name / area as the title. As well as text, you can add a website link or upload an image if you'd like to.

Scroll down to see more posts.

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The Church of England working towards COP26 - briefing

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The Church of England working towards COP26 - briefing

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The Church of England working towards COP26

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At last we're getting going with some actions at St Nick's. Starting small, we're encouraging the congregation to download the order of service onto a device (rather than take a paper copy) - we're alreday printing fewer - and undertaking a travel to church survey to see if we can set up a car-share scheme and encourage more cyclists by installing cycle racks in the church gardens.

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Wildflower Seeds, Bulbs and Plants | Wild Flower Seeds UK

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Buy wildflower seeds online from Landlife Wildflowers, the wildflower experts. Great value, British wildflower seeds and plants available for gardens and meadows to create stunning displays and habitats for pollinators. Order online or get in touch to speak to our expert staff.

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In 25 minutes the COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma explains how critical the COP26 UN climate summit is for building a cleaner, greener, future.

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Six Months To COP26: President-Designate Speech

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Why Should You Care About Climate Change

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Why Should You Care About Climate Change

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A 9 minute video by Laura which just about sums it up.

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WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? | WE ARE TEARFUND

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Study Day on the Environment with John Bimson and input from Helen Stephens from Arocha UK

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John taught Old Testament at Trinity College, Bristol, from 1981 until retiring in 2015. His passion for Creation Care and the environment has inspired many generations of students to take seriously the need to sustain the earth as part of the Christian call to mission. Some of you may remember that John led a very successful Study Day on Job. He recently combined his interests in Job and Creation Care in The Book of Job and Environmental Ethics: The Message from the Whirlwind (Grove, 2020). His other special interests include bird-watching and walking in the Cambrian Mountains in Mid-Wales, where he and his wife, Maya, live.
Helen Stephens
Helen is Church Relations Manager at A Rocha UK with responsibility for the Eco Church programme. She has a background in telecoms where she held roles in Regulation and Corporate Responsibility and also worked for her Vicar before joining ARUK in late 2017. Helen has tried various initiatives to help her own church become greener and thinks that Eco Church is a great framework for doing this. She lives in Hampton with her family and continues to find ways to enjoy nature and to try to live more sustainably.'

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Study Day: Whose Planet is it? Creation Care in a Time of Crisis - GOLD Project

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John taught Old Testament at Trinity College, Bristol, from 1981 until retiring in 2015. His passion for Creation Care and the environment has inspired many generations of students to take seriously the need to sustain the earth as part of the Christian call to mission.

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Relay to COP26:

This November, world leaders are meeting in Glasgow for important climate negotiations. We believe it’s time to make decisions which protect people not bank balances, to decide that no country will go into debt tackling climate change. It’s a decade-defining opportunity to make a stand.

Join the UK churches' Relay to COP26.

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We know this will be a challenge - food is often a part of our identity and represents so much more than just a meal on a plate! It's actually precisely because of this that we are running this campaign - we think following Jesus connects to the whole of our lives, even to the choices we make about what we eat.

It might surprise you to know that the food system is responsible for about a third of global carbon emissions , with meat production being the largest part of this.

The science is very clear that a major response to the injustices and threats of climate change needs to be a change in the global patterns of food consumption towards a greater share of vegetarian meals. The Climate Change Committee - the UK independent body that makes recommendations to the government on climate policy - has shown that for the UK to meet our climate change targets, t he UK needs to reduce consumption of meat and dairy by one fifth by 2030. Reducing meat and dairy is a very significant way for us to mitigate climate change, improve health, and increase food security.

And yet, when asked to rank what we can do to mitigate climate change, people consistently underestimate the impact of 'eating a more vegetarian diet' (UK perceptions of climate change, CAST Briefing Paper 08, 2021).

As Christians we want to be people who challenge every injustice. Climate change is one of the great injustices of our time: if reducing our meat and dairy intake is one way we can challenge this injustice - we want to do it!

Will you reflect your commitment to justice by joining us?

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We know this will be a challenge - food is often a part of our identity and represents so much more than just a meal on a plate! It's actually precisely because of this that we are running this campaign - we think following Jesus connects to the whole of our lives, even to the choices we make about what we eat.

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This year is crucial in the struggle for climate justice. To rise to the challenge, we must underpin it in prayer.

You can help by filling the year with prayer. Prayer that will transform us and our actions, shape our understanding, and help us start anew.

In 2021 we will fill every day with prayer for a world where everyone can flourish. Our prayers will spur us to take further action and encourage our leaders to deliver climate justice at the G7 and COP26.

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Prayer that will amplify prophetic voices and transform us and the actions that we take. Prayer that will help us to understand God's care for those who are most affected by the climate crisis, acknowledge our role in causing it and start anew. Prayer that will act as a deep source of energy for the struggle ahead.

Alongside our friends at CAFOD and Tearfund, and people all over the world, we will fill every day with prayer for a world where everyone can flourish and creation can breathe easy again.

Due to the pandemic, 2020 was not the year any of us expected. The UN climate talks, COP26 are now postponed until November 2021. But the struggle for climate justice remains urgent and essential. Starting when COP26 should have taken place, we are reigniting our efforts to fill every day with prayer until the conference is completed. Will you join us?
How does it work?

Sign up on the calendar to fill a time-slot to pray either by yourself or with others from your church.

Choose whether you wish to pray as a one-off or on a regular basis.

Help us to keep the chain of prayer for climate justice going throughout the year.

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Prayer that will amplify prophetic voices and transform us and the actions that we take. Prayer that will help us to understand God's care for those who are most affected by the climate crisis, acknowledge our role in causing it and start anew. Prayer that will act as a deep source of energy for the struggle ahead.

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7 scientists speak on climate change & their faith

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7 scientists speak on climate change & their faith

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A series of seven talks by scientists who are also Christians whose work relates to the climate and ecological emergency. Each will speak first about the science with which they are involved and then, more briefly, reflecting on how this affects their prayers - what they feel it is appropriate to pray for and how they express those prayers.

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Please join us for a series of seven talks by scientists who are also Christians whose work relates to the climate and ecological emergency. Each will speak first about the science with which they are involved and then, more briefly, reflecting on how this affects their prayers - what they feel it is appropriate to pray for and how they express those prayers.

They are part of our Climate Year in partnership with Greater Manchester Churches Together.

The talks will be at 7:30pm on weekday evenings in May and June 2021 and last for about 90 minutes. They should be of general interest (however much you know about science) and are free (but require you to book for tickets in advance).

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Please join us for a series of seven talks by scientists who are also Christians whose work relates to the climate and ecological emergency. Each will speak first about the science with which they are involved and then, more briefly, reflecting on how this affects their prayers - what they feel it is appropriate to pray for and how they express those prayers.

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24th April recording - Andy Atkins, CEO A Rocha UK

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24th April recording - Andy Atkins, CEO A Rocha UK

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Andy Atkins links the global climate emergency to the local level and talks about how churches can take local action through the framework of Eco Church

https://vimeo.com/542670749

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Andy Atkins A Rocha UK, 24th April, Eco Church North West conference

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Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha UK, speaking at the Eco Church North West conference on 24th April 2021. Andy links the global climate emergency to the local level, talks about how churches can take local action through the framework of Eco Church and answers questions from conference participants.

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24th April recording - Catherine Ross - Overview of resources to help get to Net Zero

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24th April recording - Catherine Ross - Overview of resources to help get to Net Zero

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https://vimeo.com/542637351

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Resources to get to Net Zero, Catherine Ross

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Catherine Ross, the Church of England’s Open and Sustainable Churches Officer gives an overview of resources to help get places of worship to net zero.

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Net Zero Resources for Churches - Catherine Ross

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Net Zero Resources for Churches - Catherine Ross

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Catherine Ross, CofE Open and Sustainable Churches Officer, shared this excellent resource at the #EcoChurchNW event.

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24th April recording - Pathway to Net Zero workshop

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24th April recording - Pathway to Net Zero workshop

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Catherine Ross, the Church of England’s Open and Sustainable Churches Officer, gives in depth support and insight into the challenges, costing and steps needed to get places of worship to net zero.

https://vimeo.com/542831153

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Recording of the Pathway to Net Zero workshop as part of the Eco Church North West conference on April 24th 2021. Catherine Ross, the Church of England’s Open and Sustainable Churches Officer, gives in depth support and insight into the challenges, costing and steps needed to get places of worship to net zero.

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Pathway to Net Zero presentation slides for #EcoChurchNW event.

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Pathway to Net Zero presentation slides for #EcoChurchNW event.

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Slides from Catherine's Practical Path to Net Zero talk.

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24th April recording - Maria Alejandra Andrade Vineuza

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24th April recording - Maria Alejandra Andrade Vineuza

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Maria, a sociologist and theologian, shares with us how the climate emergency is affecting Ecuador.

https://vimeo.com/542823160

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Maria Alejandra Andrade Vinueza, a sociologist and theologian, shares with us how the climate emergency is affecting Ecuador, shares some of the grassroots and community initiatives that she is supporting regarding climate change and some theological insights into the climate emergency from a Latin American perspective. Maria is interviewed by Rev Grace Thomas, one of the DEOs for Manchester Diocese and vicar at St James, Moss Side.

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24th April recording - Sustainable Lifestyle workshop 

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24th April recording - Sustainable Lifestyle workshop 

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This session introduces the Transition Towns movement and explores the ways in which churches can engage with community organisations to promote the profound changes required at home, in our neighbourhoods and in wider society to transition to a more sustainable, low carbon future.

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Sustainable Lifestyles workshop, with Richard Fuller

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Sustainable Lifestyle - This session introduces the Transition Towns movement and explores the ways in which churches can engage with community organisations to promote the profound changes required at home, in our neighbourhoods and in wider society to transition to a more sustainable, low carbon future.

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24th April recording - Bishop Philip North

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24th April recording - Bishop Philip North

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Bishop Philip North delivers a closing address as part of the Eco Church North West conference.

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Bishop Philip North's closing address. Eco Church North West conference, 24th April 2021

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24th April recording - A Franciscan Blessing

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24th April recording - A Franciscan Blessing

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Maria Alejandra Andrade Vineuza's closing prayer from the April 24th conference

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A Franciscan Blessing by Maria Alejandra Andrade Vinueza.mp4

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Presentation from workshop with Liz Atherton, Faiths4Change, on how to engage your congregation and embed eco actions. Contact liz@faiths4change.org.uk

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Engaging congregations - mapping activity

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Engaging congregations - mapping activity

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Template for spotting opportunities to engage your congregation. From the workshop with Faiths4Change. See an example of this activity done with a church via Padlet: https://padlet.com/lizfaiths4change/ecosurvey

Contact liz@faiths4change.org.uk

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How to engage congregation and communities- spotting opportunities

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Worship and Teaching workshop with Grace Thomas 

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Worship and Teaching workshop with Grace Thomas 

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Powerpoint from Eco Church NW

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John Rodwell's #EcoChurchNW meditation slides and music.

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John Rodwell's #EcoChurchNW workshop slides.

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Caring for God’s Acre works nationally to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy burial grounds and graveyards.

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Caring For God's Acre - the conservation charity for burial grounds across the UK - Protecting Wildlife, Preserving Heritage, Involving People

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Caring for God's Acre is the conservation charity for Burial Grounds across the UK Protecting Wildlife - Preserving Heritage - Involving People

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Upcoming Eco Church Events can be signed up for here.

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Upcoming Eco Church Events can be signed up for here.

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A Rocha UK (ARUK) is a Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environmentWe manage two demonstration nature reserves, coordinate a national network of Partners in Action, run the successful Eco Church scheme and Wild Christian - our online community for Christians and their families to live out environmental care in their homes and neighbourhoods.

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Eco Church South East: Going Beyond Bronze.

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Eco Church South East: Going Beyond Bronze.

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The next event in the Eco Church series of regional events.  It's being run by dioceses in the South East but is open and relevant to anyone interested in exploring Eco Church further - particularly those moving beyond bronze.

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eco church south east - going beyond bronze

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eco church south east - going beyond bronze tickets

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Eco Church South East - Going beyond Bronze

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Eventbrite - A Rocha UK presents Eco Church South East - Going beyond Bronze - Saturday, 8 May 2021 - Find event and ticket information.

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Eco Church Festival with Churches Count on Nature - Eventbrite Booking

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Eco Church Festival with Churches Count on Nature - Eventbrite Booking

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eco church festival with ‘churches count on nature’ 2021

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eco church festival with ‘churches count on nature’ 2021 tickets

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Eco Church Festival with 'Churches Count on Nature' 2021

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Eventbrite - A Rocha UK presents Eco Church Festival with 'Churches Count on Nature' 2021 - Saturday, 12 June 2021 - Find event and ticket information.

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In Transition 2.0: a story of resilience and hope in extraordinary times

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A movement of communities coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world

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Prize winning videos mentioned at the #EcoChurchNW event

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Prize winning videos mentioned at the #EcoChurchNW event

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environment leaders sustainability prize international grassroots "climate change" water "goldman prize" "goldman environmental prize" "climate crisis" "envi...

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The Goldman Environmental Prize is the world's foremost award honoring grassroots environmentalists.

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Churches Count on Nature, 5 - 13 June 2021

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An organization in Latin America that is contributing a lot to create new theological narratives, from an indigenous perspective.

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Memoria Indigena | Una mirada al evangelio y a la historia a través de los pueblos indígenas

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Este video es una grabación de un diálogo entre Frank Paul, misionero alemán, y varios jóvenes indígenas de Memoria Indígena. Frank comparte sobre su experiencia entre el pueblo qom del Chaco argentino y cómo cambió su perspectiva de la iglesia y la misión. Les...

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A resource mentioned at the #EcoChurchNW event.

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The Goldman Environmental Prize is the world's foremost award honoring grassroots environmental activists
Learn more about the Prize

Despite dramatic differences in focus, tactics, and location (one in Germany and one in India), two Goldman Prize winners are united in their ongoing fight against a common enemy--coal. In 2019, the Goldman Environmental Foundation's grantmaking program was thrilled to support the organizations of Heffa Schucking (Germany, 1994) and Ramesh Agrawal (India, 2014) in their campaigns to make coal-fired power plants extinct, from opposite ends of the supply chain.

Stopping Financial Flows

Predominantly headquartered in Europe and... Read Blog Post

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The Goldman Environmental Prize is the world's foremost award honoring grassroots environmental activists Learn more about the Prize Despite dramatic differences in focus, tactics, and location (one in Germany and one in India), two Goldman Prize winners are united in their ongoing fight against a common enemy--coal.

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A member of the Franciscan community at Hilfield Friary and an ARUK trustee, will be speaking online next week on Franciscan gardening 'at' St. Stephen's Church in London as part of their Conscious Living series.

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Join us via Zoom on Wednesday 21st April to hear Guest Speaker Richard Thornbury talking about the Franciscan Approach to Gardening. Richard is based at Hilfield Friary in Dorset.

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Join us via Zoom on Wednesday 21st April to hear Guest Speaker Richard Thornbury talking about the Franciscan Approach to Gardening. Richard is based at Hilfield Friary in Dorset.

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Don't forget about the online conference event on Saturday 24th April.

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eco church north west - continuing our pilgrimage to net zero

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eco church north west - continuing our pilgrimage to net zero tickets

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Eco Church North West - Continuing our pilgrimage to net zero

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Eventbrite - A Rocha UK presents Eco Church North West - Continuing our pilgrimage to net zero - Saturday, 24 April 2021 - Find event and ticket information.

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All welcome to join us in a Journey to COP26 - please feel free to feed in your actions and ideas

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Add your pledge here - double click on the wall or click the plus button and write 'We pledge' followed by the name of your place of worship and the area you're in. You can add a link to your website, a photo and any extra info you would like to. 

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People all over the world are taking practical steps to protect what they love from climate change before it’s too late. Can we count you in?

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People all over the world are taking practical steps to protect what they love from climate change before it's too late. Can we count you in?

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and other events in April.

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***STOP PRESS for this week!***

Diocesan Environment Officer, The Revd Elizabeth Bussmann has asked us to publicise this Zoom event across the Diocese next Wednesday, 27 January:

Invitation to 'Reducing Plastic Waste'

A zoom resource for everyone interested in tackling this huge environmental problem.

Not only in the lives of individuals but also in the development of a campaign to influence others - from our friends and families to manufacturers, distributors, retail outlets etc. etc.!

REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE

Wednesday 27 January

18.00 GMT (19.00 CET)

Introduction by Sir David Attenborough

Part 1. The problem with plastic

Chaired by The Revd Rob Kean

Robert Sluka 'The Global Plastic Problem"

The Revd Dr. Dave Bookless 'Environment, from Creation to New Creation, with a focus on plastic.

Marcial Felgueiras: A Rocha Portugal and plastic.

Part 2. What can we do?

Chaired by the Archdeacon of Gibraltar, The Revd Canon David Waller

Dame Ellen MacArthur: 'Breaking the plastic wave'

Isabel (Bebe) Soares: 'Plastic Free February'

The Revd Elizabeth Bussmann: 'Plastic reduction through Lent'

And after Lent ... ?

This locally started initiative is supported by the Gibraltar Archdeaconry, A Rocha Portugal and International and the Diocesan Environment Office as a Diocesan-wide initiative.

For further information please contact

Photo credit: Noah Buscher on Unsplash

***More Eco-Diocese events***

Save these dates in April!

'Caring for Creation - Living out our faith -

Bringing Hope to others.... '

The series planned so far between 17-26 April includes these topics:

'Christianity & the Environment: The Mission of God and the Mission of God's People'

The Church of England's goal to become net zero carbon by 2030 and what that means practically for us in Europe

'The practical implications of our biblical mandate to care for creation.'

Intentional Discipleship

The Environmental Network of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa

***

Photo credit - banner and home page:

Martijn Baudoin, Confrontational Plastic Waste, Maas, Portugal on Unsplash

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Eco-Diocese Zoom event: Reducing Plastic Waste

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Diocesan Environment Officer, The Revd Elizabeth Bussmann has asked us to publicise this Zoom event across the Diocese next Wednesday, 27 January: Invitation to 'Reducing Plastic Waste' A zoom resource for everyone interested in tackling this huge environmental problem.

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In February the PCC declared a Climate Emergency and have adopted the action plan recommended by the Eco Church Task Force.

Our new-to-us eco car is having it's service before coming home for good,  Only 2 journeys left in our diesel...

Picking up used shotgun cartridges that rotters leave on local paths!

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Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep

Sign up for all you need to take part, help with identifying what you see, and expert advice on feeding the birds. Plus, you'll also receive 20% off in our shop and free delivery*.

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Big Garden Birdwatch | Join the fun - The RSPB

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Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep Sign up for all you need to take part, help with identifying what you see, and expert advice on feeding the birds. Plus, you'll also receive 20% off in our shop and free delivery*.

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'Churches Count on Nature runs from Saturday 5th June – Sunday 13th June 2021, and is all about local people discovering and recording the wonderful plants and wildlife in their local church yard. This is an ecumenical partnership project between A Rocha UK, the Church of England Environment Programme, and Caring for Gods Acre'.

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Caring For God's Acre > Expression of interest in 'Churches Count on Nature 2021'

Churches Count on Nature runs from Saturday 5th June - Sunday 13th June 2021, and is all about local people discovering and recording the wonderful plants and wildlife in their local church yard. This is an ecumenical partnership project between A Rocha UK, the Church of England Environment Programme, and Caring for Gods Acre.

Simply give us your name, email, and the church where you want to carry out your "Churches Count on Nature" activity below, and we will send you all the information you need. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of

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Expression of interest in 'Churches Count on Nature 2021' - Caring For God's Acre

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Churches Count on Nature runs from Saturday 5th June - Sunday 13th June 2021, and is all about local people discovering and recording the wonderful plants and wildlife in their local church yard. This is an ecumenical partnership project between A Rocha UK, the Church of England Environment Programme, and Caring for Gods Acre.

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If you're struggling to know where to start, this gives a good framework.

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Can we set up a directory of eco-friendly food stores and markets? We hate all the plastic on supermarket food. We use the Dispensary in Walkden and the Replenishery in Leigh for dried food and non-food items, but where can buy good fresh fruit and veg that's not covered in plastic??

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Can we set up a directory of eco-friendly food stores and markets? We hate all the plastic on supermarket food. We use the Dispensary in Walkden and the Replenishery in Leigh for dried food and non-food items, but where can buy good fresh fruit and veg that's not covered in plastic??

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A newly released toolkit to help make a difference.

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Recognise, declare or acknowledge an emergency in a way that engages your community and amplifies the need for leaders everywhere to act.

Support and empower everyone in your church family to champion climate action wherever they already are, and to pray for change.

See the UK churches and Christian organisations that have declared or recognised the climate emergency on our declaration map .

The Climate Emergency Toolkit and website have been produced by Tearfund, in partnership with a broad coalition of organisations, activists and church leaders:

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Climate Emergency Toolkit | Church Resources on climate change

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The Climate Emergency Toolkit is a brand new resource to help your church respond to the climate crisis, brought to you by Tearfund, Christian Aid, aRocha UK, Operation Noah and more.

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Oldhams Church recently achieved its bronze eco-church award. This video reflects on community action and the hosting of creation Sunday as part of the church's annual programme.

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Find instructions here for use of the EFT which is now an integral part of the Parish Returns system. It helps you to work out the carbon footprint of the energy used in your church.

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Energy Footprint Tool | The Church of England

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The Church of England's Energy Footprint Tool is a simple way for churches to calculate their "carbon footprint" in minutes.

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we have done our big build and now have allotment beds in the church grounds and two outside. we are also taking part in Count on Nature and of course we are with Faiths4Change doing the Journey to Cop26, We are making green hearts to send out to MP's to Ask them to look after our world be more proactive with things to help climate change, reduce plastic and do more than they are to reduce emissions.  A directory of Eco Friendly stores would be useful. We are also doing an Estate litter pick on 17th April 10-12pm if anyone wishes to join us meet outside of St Cuthberts Church.

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Business can thrive with a purpose driven strategy. The power of spiritual, conservation and commercial organisations is immense and frankly untapped. https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/#!/choose-location/

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Webinars on getting to net zero carbon | The Church of England

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Find details of our series of webinars on different aspects of the Church of England environment programme and the path to 'net zero carbon'.

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Welcome to Eco Church: A Rocha UK's award scheme for churches in England and Wales

Complete the free online survey for your church and earn points based on how you care for God's earth. You can apply for a bronze, silver or gold award when you earn enough points across all categories. We've got loads of resources to help you and your church express your care for God's world. The survey takes you through five key areas of church life:

Worship and teaching

Buildings

Land

Community and global engagement

Lifestyle

If you are a Church of England church in the Diocese in Europe then you can participate in the Eco Church programme and work towards an Eco Church award.

If you live in Scotland please head over to Eco Congregation.

If you live in Ireland please head over to Eco Congregation Ireland.

If you are a Catholic community (church, parish or school) please head over to Live Simply run by Cafod.

A Rocha UK is a Churches Together in England member and accepts the CTE's Statement of Belief. As such, we welcome any church or organisation (where applicable) that supports this to join the Eco Chuch scheme.

Eco Church is provided free of charge, to help as many churches as possible celebrate what they're doing to care for the environment and decide what to tackle next. It costs us money to keep it running, though.
If every church participating in Eco Church donated £125, the future of the programme would be secure. Please give now, and help the church take a leading role in tackling the great environmental challenges of our time.

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Online survey and resources to help you and your church care for creation, to love our global neighbours and follow God faithfully.

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Some great resources including webinars and advice on how to progress towards net zero in churches of all shapes and sizes.

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The environment and climate change | The Church of England

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We are here to help you take action on the environment.

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A helpful resource for checking your personal contribution set up by Annabelle South in the Diocese of Guildford.  There will be an introductory webinar 7.30pm Dec 10th
https://bit.ly/creationcarewebinar

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The Creation Care scheme aims to encourage households to make changes to care for God's earth.
Wherever households are on their creation care journey, we want to provide ideas for their next steps, and recognise the progress they've made.

Want to find out more about the scheme? Join us at our webinar on Thursday 10th December 2020, 7.30pm GMT and hear from Bishop Ruth Bushyager (Bishop of Horsham), Revd Dr Dave Bookless (Director of Theology, A Rocha International) and Annabelle South (St Paul's Action on Climate and the Environment).

A short introduction to the Creation Care scheme

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The Creation Care scheme aims to encourage households to make changes to care for God's earth. Wherever households are on their creation care journey, we want to provide ideas for their next steps, and recognise the progress they've made. Want to find out more about the scheme?

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Last year we had a lovely Environment Service whereby Bishop Philip Mounstephen presented the Gold Awards for our local system Green Church Awards (a step to EcoChurch). We worked with the WI, the county youth choirs and Cornwall Council and the children form may schools processed, on a Sunday and it was wonderful. I'm working out a way to project that film, hopefully onto the Cathedral at some point in the build up to COP26 and other local related events. I'm interested in a fairly dark spot that we *might* be able to shine a light on!

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A film has now been published celebrating the Songs for Earth environmental service that saw more than a hundred Cornish primary school children join with members of the WI, the county youth theatre - and a full cathedral congregation - in a bid to protect the planet.

The film will be used by the diocese's environment officer, Luci Isaacson, to show to interested groups throughout Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the two parishes in Devon.

If you are interested in signing up to the ten pledges, click here.

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Songs for Earth - the movie! - Truro Diocese

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A film has now been published celebrating the Songs for Earth environmental service that saw more than a hundred Cornish primary school children join with members of the WI, the county youth theatre - and a full cathedral congregation - in a bid to protect the planet.

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An article written for Liverpool Diocese bulletin by John from St Luke's in Crosby

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Young people in action here:

https://www.yccn.uk/

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What is climate justice?

"It's about the well-being of all people and places, and God's intention for all creation to flourish." -

"Climate justice is a recognition that climate breakdown doesn't affect us all equally: rich nations and people have done the most to cause it, and poorer nations and people are often the most vulnerable to its effects. It means decarbonising the economy in a way that doesn't hurt the economically vulnerable, prioritising the needs of developing nations, and protecting people from the changes that are already irreversible." -

"It demands a shift in our priorities from endless economic growth for the Global North, and towards a genuine and sustainable commitment for equitable human and natural flourishing, everywhere." -

What does Jesus have to do with the environment?

"Jesus is both the creator and redeemer who reconciles "all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:20) This means the good news about the reign of God applies to all creation. It also means that as Christians, who accept Jesus' Lordship over all, we accept the purposes God has for creation and we can no longer act for only for our own convenience."

"Jesus shows a radical love for the world, a love that sees value in the life of every human, animal and living part of Creation. This love extends across time, asking us to take responsibility for those we have never met and will never meet, in recognition of our shared humanity."

"Jesus dying on the cross gives us hope that He will renew all things - including our world. As part of this promised Kingdom, our actions now have everlasting consequences. We can work with Jesus in the greatest renewal project ever - how exciting!"

What does this have to do with us as Christians, now, today, here?

"We too are called to be part of this world, to treasure that which God treasures and to join with him in creating life, not death, on this earth."

"If we don't honour what God has created, respecting the balances and rhythms he has designed, we position ourselves in opposition to the sustaining work of Jesus."

"We need to repent for the ways in which we have harmed the environment throughout the millennia humans have been living on planet earth, and to act upon our responsibility as stewards of our planet."

"Collectively, we have inherited the wonders of this world. Our faith calls us to open myself to the multiplicity of others' experiences and to help build a beloved community."

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What is climate justice? "It's about the well-being of all people and places, and God's intention for all creation to flourish." - "Climate justice is a recognition that climate breakdown doesn't affect us all equally: rich nations and people have done the most to cause it, and poorer nations and people are often the most vulnerable to its effects.

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I mentioned our EcoFests in my talk today - this is a snapshot of what they were!

https://youtu.be/JLymwBHEJXM
Grace

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Banner in church - by Christ Church Lancaster

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Banner in church - by Christ Church Lancaster

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Shared by Joyce

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Christ Church Lancaster banner in church

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Written by Catherine Ross, Church of England. Full of specific, practical advice for buildings.

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I am interested in planting trees - heritage fruit trees - in the churchyard. Does anyone know anyone else who has done this or something similar?

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I am interested in planting trees - heritage fruit trees - in the churchyard. Does anyone know anyone else who has done this or something similar?

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Caroline Hewitt - St Michael & All Angels, Northern Moor

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A summary of Christ Church's eco journey to date shared by Joyce - loads of ideas and actions, and showing how the core team of 8 have gradually built on each action.

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Holy Trinity church in Coldhurst have been working with ‘MyColdhurst’ ecology group to help clean up our public spaces and woodland - such as clearing the rubbish in our alleyways. It is a local group drawing together mosque, church and local community association members in care for our immediate environment - to clean & recycle. Encouraging to see our school children also involved.

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From Bernie Jordan - contact details in document

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Olio - food sharing app that Grace Thomas mentioned

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Olio - food sharing app that Grace Thomas mentioned

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Let's not waste our wonderful world. Connect with your neighbours to give away food & other household items, plus lend & borrow, for free.

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We have recently started up a eco deanery in Liverpool. This week we are meeting with our local MP, Bill Esterson

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Eco Church website: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/

Sign up to the EC app: https://app.ecochurch.org/

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we have started a community herb garden, we have bees and an orchard at All Saints with St Frideswyde Crosby  

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we have started a community herb garden, we have bees and an orchard at All Saints with St Frideswyde Crosby  

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Growing food on church land for the foodbank

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Growing food on church land for the foodbank

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Roots in the City - is a partnership project between St Michael's in the City Church, Liverpool & Faiths4Change.  We have transformed church land into a thriving food growing (for the food bank) & nature learning garden for all.

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SOLAR panels have been installed on the Cloisters of Salisbury Cathedral as it works towards becoming more carbon-neutral.

The 93 solar panels are located on the roof of the south Cloister roof and will provide 33,708 kWh of clean energy to the cathedral, reducing its carbon footprint by 11,764 kilograms per year.

Bishop of Salisbury, Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, said: "The Church of England is working hard towards a Net Zero carbon footprint by 2030. As the Church of England's lead bishop for the environment I am delighted that Salisbury cathedral is making a contribution that takes us towards this.

"With clear purpose and helpful partnerships even iconic buildings can make a difference towards sustainability. In these strange times the possibilities of living differently seem all the more important and this project even more significant."

Salisbury Community Energy partnered with Schools Energy Cooperative in 2019 to deliver the project, and the money was raised in November 2019 through a local community share offer.

The project has been designed and installed by Joju Solar.

Thomas Burnett, a director of the not-for-profit Salisbury Community Energy, said: "Salisbury Community Energy was set up in 2017 to decarbonise Salisbury. We've worked very hard over the last three years to do that. We've now got five solar PV sites across the city. The jewel in the crown is definitely Salisbury Cathedral."

Other sites in Salisbury include Wiltshire College, Bishop Wordsworth's School, and St Martin's Primary School.

Mr Burnett added: "Salisbury college, Bishop Wordsworth's and the cathedral line-up on an east west meridian. The sun rising first on Wiltshire College then Bishop Wordsworth's then hitting the cathedral, whcih has a majestic quality to it.

"What we are hoping to do is use these first 200kW sites as a launch pad to do more."

"Salisbury Community Energy is not-for-profit and we are hoping to build on this platform and work with Salisbury to continue decarbonise."

Caroline Lanyon, who is also part of Salisbury Community Energy, said she was "thrilled" about the solar panels and hopes it will encourage others to follow.

"This cathedral installation is going to make it much more likely that other major churches and heritage sights are going to be able to put panels up. It's become a sort of pioneer so its going to make all of that happening much more," she added.

"These solar panels are owned by a whole community of people. They are individual people who have loaned their money. It is an ethical investment all made by the community.

"It is because people want solar panels or renewable energy to happen where I afraid the government is lagging behind. People can make it happen when the government is rather failing to get behind it. It is a nationwide effort by lots and lots of community energy groups and it is about local people wanting to do local renewables on their roofs."

She said this latest installation will "give a lot of people a buzz" and a "sense of it can be done".

Salisbury Cathedral is only the second English cathedral to install solar panels.

Planning permission for the installation was granted in March of this year.

The panels are located on the South Cloister roof and cannot be seen from the ground. Only visitors climbing the Spire will get a glimpse of them.

Canon Robert Titley, Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral, said: "We are delighted to be the second English cathedral to install solar panels as part of our continuing green initiatives, which have included draft proofing our medieval building, moving to green tariff energy and installing LED lighting. We are called to preach good news, and through this we are taking another small step toward being good news for God's earth and not just part of the problem."

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Solar panels installed at cathedral to help meet target of becoming carbon neutral

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SOLAR panels have been installed on the Cloisters of Salisbury Cathedral as it works towards becoming more carbon-neutral. The 93 solar panels are located on the roof of the south Cloister roof and will provide 33,708 kWh of clean energy to the cathedral, reducing its carbon footprint by 11,764 kilograms per year.

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Plant bee friendly wildflowers - with community groups who use the church hall

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Plant bee friendly wildflowers - with community groups who use the church hall

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Lynne, St Gabriel's Huyton

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Interfaith litter pick along the river in Bolton

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Sign up to A Rocha UK’s free monthly Wild Christian e-bulletin: https://arocha.org.uk/wildchristian/

More information on A Rocha’s Eco Church scheme can be found here: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/

Information about Climate Sunday here: https://www.climatesunday.org/

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You can check on  what environmental policies your local authorities have here:

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Bishop Paul Bayes speaking at an Interfaith Week event 2019