Diocese of Chichester

The Church of England’s General Synod has set new targets for all parts of the church to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030.

At its February 2020 meeting, members voted in favour of a revised date encouraging all parts of the Church of England to take action and ramp-up efforts to reduce the emissions which cause climate change.

The motion (approved on Wednesday 12^th February) called for urgent steps to examine requirements to reach the new target, and draw up an action plan.

The motion follows the launch of the Church of England’s first ever Green Lent (#LiveLent) campaign for 2020, featuring 40 days of prayers and actions to encourage care for God’s Creation.

The Church of England has also announced a bespoke footprinting tool for parishes to calculate the carbon footprint of their buildings and halls, and manage their energy use more effectively.It is currently undergoing final tests, for roll out very soon.

Following the debate, The Bishop of Salisbury, Nick Holtam, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the Environment said:

“Synod has set an ambitious target for the whole Church of England to respond to the urgency of the Climate Crisis.

“To reach Synod’s target of 2030 we will each need to hear this as an urgent call to action, but I am encouraged by the statement of intent this makes across the Church, and wider society about our determination to tackle Climate Change, and safeguard God’s creation.

“This is a social justice issue, which affects the world’s poorest soonest and most severely, and if the Church is to hold others to account, we have to get our own house in order.

“There is no serious doubt that climate change is happening, and that people are causing it, so it is very encouraging that Synod is grappling with the most urgent issues of our time.”

The Diocese of Chichester’s Environment Officer, Revd Debbie Beer, said:

“This is a great opportunity for our churches to work together and with local communities, businesses, local government, and all organisations across Sussex on tackling the Climate Crisis.

Deciding how to act effectively, justly and compassionately to reduce our carbon emissions, is a difficult challenge for everyone, not just for the Church.I believe that through joint efforts and mutual support and encouragement we can show how the Gospel is vital, practical good news in the face of this huge threat to our world.”

“I would strongly encourage churches, families and individuals to use the #LiveLent materials, and also to explore the related book by Ruth Valerio, Saying Yes to Life (and its supporting resources).Please also think seriously about joining Eco Church, and keep an eye on our diocesan environment webpages.”

The final motion approved by General Synod was as follows:

That this Synod, recognising that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation, and a fundamental injustice, and following the call of the Anglican Communion in ACC Resolutions A17.05 and A17.06;

(a) call upon all parts of the Church of England, including parishes, BMOs [Bishop Mission Orders], education institutions, dioceses, cathedrals, and the NCIs [National Church Institutions], to work to achieve year-on-year reductions in emissions and urgently examine what would be required to reach net zero emissions by 2030 in order that a plan of action can be drawn up to achieve that target;

(b) request reports on progress from the Environment Working Group and the NCI’s every three years beginning in 2022 and;

(c) call on each Diocesan Synod, and cathedral Chapter, to address progress toward net zero emissions every three years.