The Church and the environment

Welcome to the Church of England's national environmental campaign aimed at resourcing the Church's 44 dioceses (including the Diocese in Europe) and 16,000 churches to reduce their footprint. The Church is committed to a Carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050 (in line with Government commitments), with an interim target of 42% by 2020. Good practice is already established in many churches round the country and Shrinking the Footprint is uniquely placed to share news, tips and resources. Please browse the site for more information and let us know what you are doing via the case study section or take a look at our regularly updated press releases.

"In the 21st century in an interconnected world, practising love of neighbours means that we are committed to mitigate the effects of climate change which will fall disproportionately on the poor and vulnerable in the world and those least able to adapt to rising temperatures and sea levels."
The Bishop of London the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, chair of Shrinking the Footprint. 

Visit the Shrinking the Footprint campaign for London Diocese

Letter from No.10 "I welcome the news of the work that the Church is doing through its seven year plan on Climate Change and am very grateful for your efforts on this vital issue." 2010
 

"For the Church of the 21st century, good ecology is not an optional extra, but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian."   
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams
Pic: Christian Aid                           

The Archbishop of Canterbury's belief in the need for each of us to be better stewards of God's creation is reflected in his many public statements about the environment, which are collected together on his official website. 

General background 

In 2005, General Synod (the Church of England's Parliament) debated Sharing God's Planet (report from the Church's Mission and Public Affairs Council) and called upon the whole Church to engage with the issues of climate change and energy use at every level in the Church.

Sharing God's Planet foreword
Sharing God's Planet General Synod resolution
Sharing God's Planet intro

In 2006, the Church launched Shrinking the Footprint on World Environment Day in June. This has been followed by a range of initiatives and statements under the Shrinking the Footprint umbrella.

In 2008 General Synod debated and voted to endorse the recommendations as set out in Climate Change and Human Security: Challenging an Environment of Injustice (a document drawn up the Mission and Public Affairs Division).

In 2009 the Church published Church and Earth 2009 - 2016 - The Church of England's Seven Year Plan on climate change and the environment.
cofe_7yp_full 
cofe_7yp_summary 
Press release

Shrinking the Footprint is celebrating the UN's International Year of Biodiversity in 2010 (pic Sheriff Hutton churchyard, Yorkshire courtesy of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust)