“Our Saving Creation strategy encourages us to grow in discipleship, re-frame our living together, and re-shaping the way we see our commitment to God and each other.”
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds
Saving Creation: Strategic action to combat climate change
Join us on the journey to become a carbon net zero church. We invite you to start on this pathway by using the new Churches Toolkit. Find out more about churches who are already working to be carbon net zero.
Saving Creation: Six Steps to Carbon Net Zero Churches Toolkit
Saving Creation: Churches Case Studies Vol. 1
Template Carbon Net Zero Parish Plan
Saving Creation: Six Steps to Carbon Net Zero Toolkit Introductory Webinar
This introductory webinar will start with a scriptural reflection to help us understand the gospel response to climate change. We will then look at the practical steps that a church can take to work towards becoming carbon net zero.
Why become a carbon net zero church?
In the Saving Creation: Six Steps to Net Zero Churches Toolkit, The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds explains why we are all called to urgently responding to climate breakdown.
How do we measure our church’s carbon footprint?
The first step in the Saving Creation: Six Steps to Net Zero Churches Toolkit is "Measure and Monitor". To reduce your carbon emissions you need to know where they are coming from. The good news is there are two tools to help you do this.
Is it possible to be a carbon net zero church?
Yes, if the carbon emissions that the church produces are less than the emissions that it captures or sequests (eg by planting extra trees). Initially, the Diocese of Leeds and the national Church of England have committed to being carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2 emissions – that means carbon dioxide from any fossil fuels burnt directly (that’s gas and oil heating and petrol/diesel for vehicles) and any emissions from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity.
Cutting down on wasted energy use and unnecessary travel, moving to some form of electric heating and electric vehicles and ensuring that your electricity comes from a renewable source is the route to net zero. Find out more in the Saving Creation: Six Steps to Carbon Net Zero Churches Toolkit
Read about churches who are on the journey to carbon net zero Saving Creation: Churches Case Studies
Need Help?
Contact your local Area Environment Champion who will be able to support you. Their contact details are available here. If you need specific advice they will be able to direct you to members of the Diocesan Environment Group, a team of voluntary specialist environmental advisors.
What is the Diocese doing to cut its carbon emissions?
The Diocese of Leeds has committed to strive to be carbon net zero by 2030 in line with the national Church of England. During 2020 and 2021 a cross diocesan team worked to develop the Saving Creation Strategy with a wide range of actions running through every aspect of Diocesan life, which is now being implemented.
This includes action for our church schools, clergy properties, and diocesan offices and how our staff work. Our six bishops have also committed to personal actions and our three Cathedrals are drawing up their own carbon net zero action plans.
Each year the Diocesan Board receives an annual carbon emissions report. Which you can read here.
There are a new set of Sustainability Principles and Guidance for church buildings from the DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee).
The Diocesan Grants and Loans for Church Buildings scheme is available to support churches to start to transition to carbon neutrality.
What is the Church of England doing about climate change?
In February 2020, the General Synod of the Church of England recognised that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation, and a fundamental injustice. They passed a motion calling on all parts of the Church of England to act swiftly to decarbonise and to aim to have net zero carbon emission by 2030.
While this is very challenging, it is an important prophetic ambition, which every church is invited to respond to.
The Church of England Environment Programme has a wealth of resources for parishes:
Church of England Routemap to Net Zero
Net Zero Carbon and Environmental video case studies
Webinars on getting to net zero carbon
The Energy Footprint Tool – A tool for measuring your carbon emissions