What is an Eco Diocese?
The Diocese of Oxford is a bronze level Eco Diocese. This means we're active in the A Rocha Eco Church scheme at a diocesan level and encourage engagement from all our parishes.
Achieving Bronze
Achieving bronze status means that, as a diocese, we've already made significant commitments to creation care. Here's what we've been up to so far:
- Our environment policy has been approved by Bishop's Council and Diocesan Synod;
- 10% of our churches have registered as an Eco Church and over 5% have received at least bronze status;
- We've divested from fossil fuels and invest ethically;
- Church House Oxford is renewably powered and the new Reading offices are sustainable and energy efficient;
- We've added a new optional commission into baptism and confirmation services, encouraging stewardship over creation as part of everyday Christian life;
- We champion churches prioritising environmental initiatives and love hearing from you.
What's next?
We recently announced a £10million investment to improve the carbon footprint of our vicarages and better care for its clergy. This is going to ramp up in 2023 as part of our wider plan to hit net zero carbon by 2035. We're also working together across all departments in the diocese to make sure sustainability is at the forefront of everyone's minds.
We'll also be encouraging our parishes to join the Eco Church programme and to make practical steps towards their own Bronze and Silver accreditations. We're aiming to get 40% of our churches registered and at least 30% awarded.
Find out more
Visit our environmental action page to find resources and advice on how you and your church or school can better care for creation.