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God’s gift of creation - our natural world - provides everything to sustain our lives. As humans, we're appointed by God as stewards of life on earth, and yet our actions have contributed to the widespread extinction of species. Now, human-induced climate change (the biggest environmental challenge we face) is damaging the most vulnerable people on earth and could ultimately jeopardise our very existence.
In late 2019, the Church of England Environment Group called for greater action on Climate Change across the Church.
Our Diocese believes that care for creation is fundamental to our mission. At our Diocesan Synod in November 2019 a new resolution was passed unanimously. It read:
This Synod recognises the Environment and Climate Emergency, and commits to the following:
Learning the facts about today’s environmental degradation and human-induced climate change
Speaking the truth about the emergency and the changes that are needed to safeguard the environment and mitigate climate impact
Taking the necessary action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030, and to model ways in which our faith and congregations can enable all of God’s creation to flourish
Fighting social injustices caused by the environmental crisis
Implementing the Diocesan Environment Policy 2019 and Action Plan
Including our care for the Environment within our diocesan strategy
Our Diocesan Environmental Policy details our commitment to caring for creation. Click here to sign up to our news letter focusing on the environment (starting September 2020).
GET INVOLVED
Sign up to All Things Bright & Beautiful, a bi-monthly digest of news, campaigns, hints, tips and hope. You’ll hear about our latest activities and how you can get involved. The newsletter will alternate every other month with a special blog from Revd Joyce Addison where she will explore the theology behind caring for God’s creation and examine our role as caretakers of this extraordinary planet.
ECO DIOCESE & ECO CHURCH
Canterbury Diocese is registered as an Eco Diocese and encourages churches to engage with the Eco Church programme. Registration as an Eco Church is free and taking the Eco Survey tells you how well you are doing and provides ideas for more that can be done. Click here to find your nearest Eco Church - working with a neighbouring church is a great way to work towards your award.
In this section of our website you can find out what we, as a diocese, are doing to care for creation and to promote awareness of environmental issues, in particular human-induced climate change. You will also find resources, and signposting to further information, to help churches, schools and individuals take action to care for our natural world and to help churches in pursuit of their Eco Church status.
RESOURCES
Climate Change fact sheet
Energy footprint tool
Webinars from The Church of England on getting to net zero carbon - you can book your place here. They cover: A vision of a zero carbon church building, Defining and measuring “net zero carbon”, Action planning and Building your team.
Joe Ware identifies ways in which parish churches can reduce their carbon footprint
Towards a sustainable Church - The Church of England's environment programme
Faith for the Climate Network
A practical path to “net zero carbon” for our churches
Enery: Economic, environmental & efficiency improvements
Caring for God’s Creation - Tearfund
Climate change, art and faith
Click here to see Environment Officer Teresa Redfern speaking at Canterbury Diocesan Synod in March 2019.
Click here to watch the Church of England Environment Programme
DIOCESAN ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER
Theresa Redfern is our Diocesan Environmental Officer. You can contact her via email via the Diocesan Offices on 01227 459401.