Diocese of Chichester

The theme of the conference, ‘Hope in the face of climate change’ looked at not only how we can make changes to help reduce our parish carbon footprints but also why we should see creation care as a central part of our churches’ mission and ministry.

Various inspirational speakers and leaders addressed the conference delegates, who came from across all three dioceses, included clergy and members of parish and community eco groups, and people involved with Eco Church in their parishes.

Bishop Will was joined by Bishop Jonathan, Bishop of Portsmouth and the Rt Rev Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorkingto discuss their individual journeys towards understanding the effects of climate change and the importance of creation care. They agreed it is something vital within the message of salvation to the world and not a fringe idea.

Also present at the conference was Steve Collins, net zero carbon programme manager for Portsmouth, Chichester, and Guildford, He said, “I was so encouraged to see conversations happening, and links developing, between participants who are all on their own journey towards net zero and caring for God’s creation.The conference was an important step towards enabling the sharing of learning and encouragement between parishes.It was particularly exciting to learn how Portsmouth Cathedral has been able to do so much with a limited budget and appreciate how many of their lessons are applicable at a parish level.”

Portsmouth Cllr Gordon Vernon-Jackson shared briefly on what the Council has been doing to reduce the city’s carbon footprint particularly in transport, waste, greening and energy production. The council’s Switch On project has been helping city residents gain access to initiatives that will help save money on energy.

Andy Atkins and Polly Eaton from A Rocha shared about Eco Church and continued the message of how important it is to understand what climate change means, as well as how we can take responsibility for and nurture the land, we have been given care of. Polly led delegates through an exercise where groups produced big headlines for significant changes that had taken place in their parish to help reduce carbon emissions and enable nature to flourish.

Richard Abraham, former COO of Portsmouth Cathedral talked about their ten-year journey to reduce the cathedral’s carbon footprint by 50% on a shoe-string budget, and Sara Collins made us aware of the Nature Premium project that aims to give all school children access to nature. Later in the day Richard took a group on a tour around the cathedral to see in more detail the changes and modifications that had been implemented.

It is hoped that this conference can become an annual event, moving locations between the three dioceses each year.