Environment

Caring for the whole of creation is core to the work of the Church as a whole. It is one of the spotlights in our Diocesan Life Together vision, as well as being named as one of the Anglican five marks of mission.

We are living in times when there are significant challenges that society needs to negotiate in terms of caring for natural resources. The thriving of creation is both important for its own sake, and deeply interconnected with the physical and spiritual wellbeing of all people.

As a Diocese we have made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, agreed by Diocesan synod in 2020 and in line with the national Church of England commitment.  We are also working on broader environmental commitments through the Eco Church Award scheme. We were awarded our Bronze Eco-Diocese award in February 2021 and are now working towards Silver.

We see the environment as underpinning all Christian mission and ministry.  As we share Good News against the backdrop of climate and nature crises, we need to be able to express the hope that our faith in Christ brings, and how it enables us to move beyond despair to action.  We also need to consider the negative impact that climate changes has on the world’s poorest, sometimes called ‘climate justice.’  Human concerns too drive us to care for the home that feeds us.  This means that the environment is not one competing priority among many but the backdrop to all our concerns.

Eco Church In An Hour – Join our campaign

Participation in EcoChurch is key to working on this for local churches.  In a crisis, everyone needs to pull together – climate change is no exception.  As Christians we are God’s representatives, created to serve and look after everything God has made.  We all need to act.

We are calling on all worshipping communities, to be the change, and take part in our #EcoChurchInAnHour campaign.

Visit our Eco Church in an Hour online hub →

Complete your church’s Energy Footprint analysis →

National CofE resources

The Church of England has some excellent resources and information on their website, including a webinar programme, case studies, the ‘routemap to net zero’ for central national and Diocesan use; and a ‘practical path to net zero’ for local church use.

CofE Environmental Programme

The Church of England’s General Synod in February 2020 set new targets for all parts of the church to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030. More details and resources are here:
churchofengland.org/environment-and-climate-change

Webinar series on practical aspect for church buildings

Webinars on getting to net zero
Webinar series on nature, churchyards and wildlife friendly land management
Webinars on EcoChurch

Local Ecumenical Network

This network meets at lunchtimes on zoom, roughly twice a term, and occasionally in person, usually with an outing to visit an project of interest.  The aim is to explore both theological and practical aspects of creation care.

Gloucestershire Churches Environmental Justice Network

This is an ecumenical network within Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and other nearby areas covered by the Diocese of Gloucester: GCEJN seeks to encourage reflection and action on environmental issues (especially in relation to a just and fair world) for those who are concerned about the environment, providing an information exchange and facilitating coordination of initiatives. The network is convened by our Environmental Officer (contact details are on this page) and consists of members of a wide variety of Christian denominations. Membership is open to any Christian within the rough diocesan area – and interested members of other faiths are welcomed. For more information on future meetings and join the email group, please contact the Diocesan Environment Officer.Join us on Facebook

 

Downloads

Local church environment policy action plan (Word doc)
Environment Policy 2021 (updated annually)
Environment roundup – stories of working to protect our environment
Outdoor worship resource list
Operation Noah Lecture 2/3/13
Forest Church booklet
Green Christian (Cheltenham)
Energy Footprint Tool Instructions
Practical suggestions to help parishes save energy and money

Videos

Energy Footprint Tool

Solar panels

Kenya links

Energy Footprint Tool (via Diocese of London):

Find out more about the Energy Footprint tool →

Carbon net-zero school:

Churchyard Biodiversity across the Diocese:

Eco loos and bug hotels … parish environmental projects:

Forest Church:

Useful links:

Environmental liturgy
Young Christian Climate Network
Sustainable Preaching
A Rocha church eco scheme
‘Shrinking the Footprint’
Churchyards (making the most of and looking after)
Forest Church
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Green Christian (National)
Greenpeace
John Ray Initiative
Operation Noah
Eco Church South West (Dioceses, CofE)
Transition Towns
Vision 21

Our Vision seeks engagement to live out Christ’s love and hope by: “Being advocates for human flourishing, through initiatives which combat injustice, environmental destruction, exclusion and isolation.”