The Diocese of Portsmouth, The Diocese of Guildford, and the Diocese of Chichester joined forces in hosting their first Net Zero Carbon conference at Portsmouth Cathedral last Saturday (18th Jan) with over one hundred people gathering to learn and be inspired by various speakers and leaders.
The conference delegates, who came from across all three dioceses, included clergy and members of parish and community eco groups, and people involved with Eco Church in their parishes. The theme of the conference, was ‘Hope in the face of climate change’, and looked at not only how we can make changes to help reduce parish’s carbon footprints but also why we should see creation care as a central part of the churches’ mission and ministry.
Rt Revd Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Portsmouth was joined by the Rt Rev Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorking and the Rt Rev Will Hazelwood, Bishop of Lewes, to discuss their individual journeys towards understanding the effects of climate change and the importance of creation care. They agreed it is something vital within the message of salvation to the world and not a fringe idea.
The conference was also attended by Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson who shared what Portsmouth City Council has been doing to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, particularly in transport, waste, greening and energy production. The council’s Switch On project has been helping city residents gain access to initiatives that will help save money on energy.
Andy Atkins and Polly Eaton from the Christian environmental charity, A Rocha, shared information on Eco Church and how important it is to understand what climate change actually means, as well as how we can take responsibility for and nurture the land we’ve been called to care for.
Richard Abraham, former COO of Portsmouth Cathedral talked about their ten-year journey to reduce the cathedral’s carbon footprint by 50%, on a shoe-string budget, and Sara Collins, Chair of the Nature Premium project spoke about the organisation’s aims to give all school children access to nature. Later in the day Richard Abraham took a group on a tour around the Cathedral to see in more detail the changes and modifications that had been implemented.
During the day, Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha presented Bishop Jonathan with a Bronze Eco Diocese award, in acknowledgement of the achievements across Portsmouth Diocese by parishes and eco groups towards reducing carbon emissions, caring for their environment, and pursuing more environmentally ethical lifestyles.
Steve Collins, net zero carbon programme manager for Portsmouth, Chichester and Guildford, said, “It was so encouraging to see the conversations happening and links developing, between participants who are all on their own journey towards net zero and caring for God’s creation. The conference was an important step towards enabling the sharing of learning and encouragement between parishes. It was particularly exciting to learn how Portsmouth Cathedral has been able to do so much with a very limited budget and appreciate how many of their lessons are applicable at a parish level.”
Bishop Jonathan said, “I am so excited and inspired by the enthusiasm demonstrated at our first NZC conference for greater action and responsibility to be taken on negating and even reversing the effects of climate change and carbon emissions on the gift of creation we are part of. We must take on board the challenge and, through the wisdom and help of the Holy Spirit, make the changes to our community and home life that will enable the earth to flourish.”
It is hoped that this conference can become an annual event, moving locations between the three dioceses each year. You can see more photos from the conference on Facebook.
To stay informed about net zero in the Diocese of Guildford visit the website.