Environmental action
Responding to the environmental crises facing our planetSince Diocesan Synod declared a climate emergency in March 2020, our Environment Task Group (ETG) is overseeing an ambitious programme of change. As Christians, we're called to care for God's creation, and the climate issues facing our planet are hugely important to us. You can watch a series from Bishop Olivia on why we should care for creation at all levels in the Church, and read about our commitments to becoming an Eco Diocese. You can also read about the recent announcement (June 2022) to invest £10m in our clergy housing as part of net zero plans, and Bishop Steven's new question within confirmation services:
Quick linksRead our environmental policy | Book an energy audit | Find net zero resources | Contact the team
Stories from our ParishesWhy Eco Church? By Rosemary Croft, St John's and St Stephen's Church
Eco Church recognizes that taking action is going to look different for every church, so it provides lots of options, with the resources we need to get started. The research and hard work has all been done for us! And most importantly, it doesn’t feel like a tick box exercise, but a way of making a real impact and helping us think through the different issues.” Rosemary Croft is a member of the congregation at St John’s and St Stephen’s, Reading, which is a Silver Eco Church. Rosemary would be more than happy to share her experiences with anyone who would find this helpful, so contact the Environment team to be put in touch. Find out more about Eco Church and how to take part. Upcoming events and activities for churchesGreat Big Green WeekThe Great Big Green Week is a nationwide celebration of action on climate change, taking place across the UK from the 24th September - 2nd October 2022, and which falls during the Church's Season of Creation, giving Christian groups the perfect opportunity to join in. Energy Footprint Tool: open until 31 JulyThis tool helps measure our collective carbon footprint and inform targetting of help to reduce it. We would be grateful if you would please complete the 2021 Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) for your church, this is part of your Parish Return. You'll need your church energy bills from 2021. The C of E website has details but if you have any trouble with the Parish Returns system we have a short 2021 Word form version which you can complete and send to us to enter for you. See May's Care for Creation Net Zero special for more information on why and how. Growing in Grace - Rural Churches and Environmental WellbeingAre you a rural church that is interested in creation care or would like support to embed environmental wellbeing within your wider mission? With support from the National Church, we are producing a suite of resources to enable a DIY lighting audit, a churchyard scavenger hunt, a transport audit, procurement and catering points to consider guides. We have also run a webinar on how to beat the rising energy costs, with some no-cost and low-cost top-tips. You can view the checklist of actions here and find out about the wider work the Diocese is doing to support rural mission. Starting your Creation Care JourneyEco Church: We would like to encourage all churches to register with A Rocha UK’s Eco Church scheme. It's a great way to engage your whole congregation in care for creation. This map shows registered churches in our diocese - Let us know when your church has registered or gains an Eco Church award and we can add it to the map. Free green advice: the Diocese can offer tailored green advice on how to help your church reduce their environmental footprint and save money on energy bills through an 'energy audit'. Plus you receive a grant to fund improvements once the audit has been completed. It's the perfect way to get started. Resources, guidance and informationEcoHubThe EcoHub is your one-stop shop for information, practical advice and theological reflection on how we can best care for God’s creation. Each zone walks you through a different stage of climate action - or you can browse all of the resources to find exactly what you're looking for. Greenshoots Network - learn from like-minded ChristiansGreenshoots Network: Are you helping your church take environmental action? Would you like to connect with others doing the same, for mutual support and information sharing? Join our Greenshoots Network email group if so. Let us know you'd like to join by emailing us. We have monthly online get togethers and occasional in person gatherings. Highlight from July's Greenshoots Gathering: We heard how St Mary’s North Leigh are planning steps towards their gold Eco Church award, and St James the Greater Eastbury are looking for a nearby church to pair with for an energy audit. We heard how St Mary’s Shaw declared a climate emergency using the Climate Emergency Toolkit resources and St Peter’s Aylesbury are continuing working hard in their community garden project (particularly in keeping up with the watering in this hot weather!) St Michael’s, Tilehurst told us they are working with others locally on some tips for reducing plastic which will be shared in due course and University Church Oxford had about 500 visitors a day come to marvel at the globe when the Gaia artwork was with them! Care for Creation newsletterOur monthly newsletter contains resources, stories, information, updates, news and events on everything related to caring for creation in the Diocese of Oxford and beyond. Read the latest newsletter issuesSubscribe to our Care for Creation newsletter We join in on the @oxforddiocese Twitter feed with #GreenMonday tweets, and there's also a Care for Creation Facebook group. If you need advice or have questions, get in touch with our team.
How the Diocese is taking action
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Helping churches reduce energy use Arrange a subsidised energy audit to inform efforts to reduce your church carbon footprint. | |
Renewable energy guidance for Churches Switching a church to green electricity, including the Big Green Switch, woodfuel, solar panels and heat pumps. | |
Resources for schools and young people Resources to raise awareness and promote classroom activity around climate and our environment. | |
Land and nature Information on supporting biodiversity in a churchyard or church garden and programmes to get involved in. | |