Environmental Issues in the Diocese of Guildford

The Diocese of Guildford includes environmental issues within the framework of the work of the Department for Social Responsibility. The Department is supported in relation to the development of environmental initiatives by a Committee of lay and clergy members. If you would like to find out more please contact: Tony.Oakden@cofeguildford.org.uk
Church and Community Adviser
Dept. for Social Responsibility
Diocese of Guildford, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3XG
01483 790325

Presentation given to Diocesan Synod

This is a copy of the presentation given to Diocesan Synod on the 6th November by the Environment Group. We would encourage you to view this and also to download it and use it in your Deaneries and Parishes. We still have Electricity monitors which can be borrowed by churches in order to monitor electricity use. Please contact the Dept for Social Responsibility where we would be pleased to assist. Click here for the Powerpoint presentation or here for the PDF. Click here for Pictures to go with the presentation and click here for Facts and Figures about the pictures.

Sources of Information on Environmental Best Practice

Parishes and individuals can obtain guidance from Christian organisations and initiatives such as:

A Rocha	www.arocha.org.uk
Christian Ecology Link	www.christian-ecology.org.uk
Church of England	The Church of England's seven year plan on Climate Change and the Environment - booklet
Creed and Creation	www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications
Eco Congregation	www.ecocongregation.org Challenges (so far) of gaining the Eco-congregation award at St Andrew's, Cobham (winter 2010)
Parish Pumps	www.conservationfoundation.co.uk
Earth Resources	www.earthresources.org.uk
Tearfund	www.tearfund.org
Norwich Diocese	www.norwich.anglican.org/environment
Quaker Environment Resources	www.quakergreenaction.org.uk
Alliance of Religions and Conservation	www.arcworld.org

as well as non-faith agencies such as

Carbon Trust	www.carbontrust.co.uk
CDF	www.everyactioncounts.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust	www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Friends of the Earth	www.foe.co.uk
Surrey Wildlife Trust	www.surreywildlifetrust.co.uk
WWF	www.wwf.org.uk

Other Useful Links and Resources

Toolkits - Action and Advice	Guidance on Energy Efficient Operation and Replacement of Plant and Equipment compiled on behalf of the Carbon Trust for the Church of England. This covers churches, clergy houses and schools and gives practical advice of how to go about reducing energy emissions and, in many cases, costs. click here
Environmental Theology	Notes written by a member of the Guildford Diocese Environment Group - click here
Solar	St Silas is a listed church in London and the first in the UK to install Solar Tiles www.saint-silas.org.uk/accommodation.asp
Heating	Energy Efficient Church Heating, is a handy information sheet written by a member of the Guildford Diocese Enviornment Group - click here
Church of England Environmental Statements	The Church of England has issued a number of statements and reports on environmental issues in recent years. For examples see the shrinkingthefootprint website The Church of England's most recent statement on the environment is set out in the report Sharing God's Planet, which was debated by the General Synod in February 2005. The debate coincided with the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol around the world. The Synod commended the report and challenged itself and wider Church organizations to act upon it. Also see “The Environment and Climate Change” A speech to the House of Lords by the Bishop of London, 13th Nov 2007. Copies of Sharing God's Planet are available for £5.99 from www.chpublishing.co.uk.
Shrinking the Footprint	Shrinking the Footprint Path sets out, in simple steps, the action we need to take now to make a difference www.shrinkingthefootprint.cofe.anglican.org. In his foreword to Sharing God’s Planet, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, encouraged us to take a walk to remind ourselves that we are part of wider creation. The current climate change situation is such that it will be a long walk - simply to restore the world’s balance we need to cut carbon emissions worldwide by 60% of current levels by 2050. Not only is this a daunting goal but its end lies at least two generations in the future. The results of our actions will only be felt by our children and grandchildren. For individuals and institutions alike, taking action (however simple and obvious that action may seem) and sustaining it will require considerable effort.
Don’t Stop at the Lights	Published in 2008 by the Church of England offering church leaders a template for a year-long programme of practical action to reduce their congregations' carbon footprints, as energy prices head upwards. The book has already won praise from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London and includes a range of appendices including lists of useful contacts and websites, a model environmental policy for dioceses, and a ‘Shrinking the Footprint' audit for local churches. Copies priced at £14.99 (ISBN 978-07151-4127-4), are available from Christian bookshops, or by mail order via the web at www.chpublishing.co.uk. See more at the shrinkingthefootprint website

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Environmental Issues in the Diocese of Guildford

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