In response to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s statement watering down and delaying net zero promises this week, the Diocese of Norwich says it continues to strive to achieve the Church of England net zero target of 2030. Keith Morris reports.
Work is already taking place in its churches, schools and properties with a set route map and targets across Norfolk and Waveney, supported by vast numbers of volunteers, including many eco champions.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, is an ecologist and the lead Bishop for Environment in the Church of England. Bishop Graham said: “The Prime Minister’s net zero speech calls for a welcome change in the debate from loud polarised voices, but he set out delays in policy before hearing the properly informed debate he called for.
“Whilst it is right that he has kept our international commitments, postponing changes leave necessary adaptations to the last minute, rather like last-minute exam cramming – a risky gamble. Ignoring the ongoing carbon emissions exacerbates climate change’s impact.
“The Prime Minister said we can meet our climate targets without taking the carbon reduction actions the Government had previously announced. We can’t. Decarbonisation must permeate every aspect of our lives. Failing to acknowledge the urgency undermines progress, impacting business, investment, green job creation, and global influence.
“We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change, which is hitting the poorest people of the world hardest. We must act now to ensure a just transition, it is our moral duty to care for God’s creation. Christians are called to be a people of hope; to live in harmony with our world; to treasure God’s creation and to love our global neighbours.”
The Church of England is also working to raise awareness of the climate crisis and encourage its members to take action to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Tim Sweeting, Diocesan Secretary (CEO) for the Diocese of Norwich, said: “Our plan to achieve net zero by 2030 is challenging and necessary. We are committed to reaching this target through mobilising the thousands of people across our churches, schools and chaplaincies who are passionate about our world and want to make a real difference in the lives of others.
“We have some exciting major projects coming up such as solar panel and heat pump installations on churches and properties, energy use reduction campaigns and partnering with schools to support energy reduction, as we know from listening to younger voices, many are passionate about environmental issues.
“Alongside this, we have recently employed a dedicated Environment Officer and we are recruiting a Net Zero officer to help us to achieve our aims.”
“Over 160 of our churches have signed-up to a nationally recognised Eco Church award scheme. This encourages changes in attitude and action across buildings, land – such as managing churchyards to promote biodiversity – worship and teaching, lifestyle and global and community engagement. Seventy three of these churches have already achieved a bronze or silver award which encourages them on their journey.”
Barbara Bryant, who is the newly appointed Environment Officer, said: “The Eco Church programme enables the churches across our Diocese to put care for creation at the heart of our mission and ministry. It’s so encouraging to see our congregations becoming ‘eco champions’ as part of their expression of faith.”
Read about the Eco Church programme.
Read about the Church of England Net Zero Carbon Routemap.
Pictured above is a lichen survey at St Andrew’s Church, Holt.