Caring for the whole of creation is core to the work of the Church as a whole. It is one of the spotlights in our Diocesan Life Together vision, as well as being named as one of the Anglican five marks of mission.
The thriving of creation is both important for its own sake, and deeply interconnected with the physical and spiritual wellbeing of all people.
As a Diocese we have made a commitment to integrate principles of carbon reduction into all aspects of Diocesan activity by 2030, agreed by Diocesan synod in 2020 and in line with the national Church of England commitment. We are also working on broader environmental commitments through the Eco Church Award scheme. We were awarded our Bronze Eco-Diocese award in February 2021 and are now working towards Silver.
We see the environment as underpinning all Christian mission and ministry. As we share Good News against the backdrop of climate and nature crises, we need to be able to express the hope that our faith in Christ brings, and how it enables us to move beyond despair to action. We also need to consider the negative impact that climate changes has on the world’s poorest, sometimes called ‘climate justice.’ Human concerns too drive us to care for the home that feeds us. This means that the environment is not one competing priority among many but the backdrop to all our concerns.
Net Zero Carbon Project Manager (clergy housing lead): Erica Siddall
Email: ku.gr1771406256o.coi1771406256dsolg1771406256@llad1771406256dise1771406256
Environment news
Caring for Creation together10 February 2026
Record your church’s energy use13 January 2026
A greener and warmer winter for St Mary’s25 November 2025
‘The hymn books have sung again’18 November 2025
Bats and hot chocolate at St James’ Quedgeley21 October 2025
The Great Switch for Creation, green energy tariffs9 September 2025
Liking the lichens in St Cyr’s ‘BioBlitz’18 August 2025
Grants for gardens
- Katherine’s place of quiet in the city1 July 2022
Videos
Net Zero Carbon Strategy
The Diocese of Gloucester is in partnership with Dioceses of Worcester and Hereford, to allow greater depth of understanding the challenges and finding solutions. The Church of England is injecting resources into the decarbonisation journey, while providing a Routemap to Net Zero Carbon.
Nearly all churches within the Diocese have clearly identified baseline information and a plan to get to NZC, which puts us in a great position to foster strategic improvements.A good place to start is the Church Buildings and Churchyards page, where you can also find information on grants and the DAC’s approach to NZC →
Schools > Buildings and Governance →
Clergy Housing: General information for occupants →
Eco Church In An Hour
Participation in EcoChurch is key to working on this for local churches. In a crisis, everyone needs to pull together – climate change is no exception. As Christians we are God’s representatives, created to serve and look after everything God has made. We all need to act.
We are calling on all worshipping communities, to be the change, and take part in our #EcoChurchInAnHour campaign.
Downloads
Theological reflection, by the Revd Canon Dana Delap
Environment Policy 2021
Environment roundup (2020) – stories of working to protect our environment
Forest Church booklet (Diocesan brochure about church seasons)
Practical suggestions to help parishes save energy and money (2022)
Useful links:
Church of England: Environment and climate change
Church of England: Webinars on getting to net zero
Church of England: Webinar series on nature & churchyards
Church of England: Webinars on EcoChurch
Local Facebook group (on hold)
Environmental liturgy through the year
Young Christian Climate Network
Resources for Sustainable Preaching based around the weekly Sunday lectionary
Looking after Churchyards (part of our Church Buildings section)
Forest Church external website
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Green Christian (National)
John Ray Initiative – Connecting Environment, Science and Christianity
Operation Noah – Christian charity working with the church to inspire action on the climate crisis
Transition Towns – Neighborhoods coming together to reimagine future
Vision 21 – local to Cheltenham not for profit aiming to make Gloucestershire communities more sustainable, robust and resilient
Our Vision seeks engagement to live out Christ’s love and hope by: “Being advocates for human flourishing, through initiatives which combat injustice, environmental destruction, exclusion and isolation.”
