Net zero

In February 2020 the General Synod agreed a motion to call upon all parts of the Church of England to work to achieve year-on-year reductions in emissions and to reach net zero carbon across our parish, cathedral, diocesan and school estates by 2030. It recognised the fifth Mark of Mission is to strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the Earth. 

In 2022 a Route Map (essentially a plan) was published indicating how net zero could be achieved. In the executive summary is a quotation from Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:    

Tomorrow could be worse. Today’s children and teenagers will face catastrophic consequences unless we take responsibility now, as ‘fellow workers with God’ (Genesis 2:4-7), to sustain our world. We frequently hear from young people who understand that their futures are under threat. For their sake, we must choose to eat, travel, spend, invest and live differently, thinking not only of immediate interest and gains, but also of future benefits.  

What is Net Zero Carbon? The Church of England defines Net Zero Carbon as the reduction, as far as possible, of carbon dioxide emissions from gas and electricity we use in our buildings, together with emissions from petrol and diesel used for cars by church staff. For the remaining emissions accredited offsetting schemes should be used to remove an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Route Map sees a future in 2030 where the buildings of the Church will be warm, bright and welcoming, powered by renewable energy and using low or zero carbon technologies for heat and light. Energy consumption for the Church as a whole will have fallen, on-site renewable energy generation (such as photo voltaic solar panels) will have increased, staff travel will be by low carbon means and carbon emissions will be less than 10% of those in 2020, offset in accredited schemes. 

The Route Map is at: Net zero carbon routemap | The Church of England

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In the next six years St Peter’s will face some significant challenges to our building and church life, as we aim to achieve net zero and play our part in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment. 

Please pray for wisdom, guidance and patience as our church leaders consider various options in this. And if you’d like to find out more, or be part of the team working in this area, please get in touch.