1. Home
  2. Running Your Church
  3. Environment
  4. Getting Started

Getting Started

At times, the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis can feel overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to begin in your own church community. Here are some handy tips to get you started.

Step 1: Create a team and consider appointing an 'environment champion'

Any task can be hard work on your own. Changing the culture in your church can be challenging at times and having a small group who bring different skills and experiences, who pray together, support each other and can share the load can be vital for success. This may be an excellent opportunity to involve young people! It can also be helpful to have a nominated person who ensures that environmental issues are championed. This should never mean that the rest of the congregation feel that they don’t have to think about creation care! Please let Revd Johannes Nobel at the Diocese know who your Parish Environment Officer is, so that they can be kept informed about training opportunities and resources.

Step 2: Ask the PCC to register with Eco Church

The Church of England has produced a two-page A4 Practical Path to “net zero carbon” for churches which is a great discussion starter for PCCs. Don't be daunted by the enormity of the task, and remember that every journey starts with small steps. You will find A Rocha's Eco Church programme an invaluable help on your church's green journey. Registering costs nothing and does not commit you to complete the award, what it does do is give you the opportunity to view the Eco Church survey and check how your church is doing, and where improvements can be made. Simple actions such as praying for environmental causes, twinning your toilets, championing local and Fairtrade produce, or holding a harvest festival can count towards gaining an Eco Church award.

Step 3: Write a plan

Becoming a zero carbon church, having a wildlife churchyard, and being 'single use plastic free' are all big challenges! It is important to have a realistic plan that sets out what needs to be done, who will do it, who needs to be consulted and what it might cost. Make sure you start with an easily achievable task to get you underway.

Step 4: Team up with the deanery

Ask your Area and/or Lay Dean to invite the Diocesan Green Ambassador, the Revd Johannes Nobel, to speak at one of the deanery synod meetings. Find out if there are other churches in the deanery that are registered as Eco Churches, and find try to work together.