Lead Bishop for the Environment, Graham Usher, said, “We are one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world: 2% of species are already extinct; 41% of species have declined since 1970; 26% of our mammals are at risk of extinction; and 97% of UK’s wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s.
“We need to act now to help the diversity of life on this single island planet home we share.”
Synod called for action plans to manage land in a way that supports biodiversity, allowing churchyards to be havens of wildlife and plants, and encouraging active stewardship of agricultural and forestry land.
Members of the Synod welcomed progress already made by the Church Commissioners, the National Church Institutions, dioceses, parishes, cathedrals and schools to manage their land for climate and nature.
The Revd Dr Cate Williams, the Diocese of Gloucester’s Environmental Engagement Officer, said, “We are now officially committed to action relating to the nature (or biodiversity) crisis as well as the climate crisis.
“The decarbonisation that is needed to tackle the climate crisis has had high priority within the Church of England, since the 2020 General Synod commitment to net zero by 2030.
“Until this week, we have heard less, at least at the General Synod level, about the other significant issue facing God’s creation, which is the nature (or biodiversity) crisis. It isn’t that we haven’t been working on this already. Any church that is working towards or has received an Eco Church Award knows this.
“Eco Church covers a breadth of environmental commitments. The ‘land’ section most obviously relates to the commitment to nature, as do elements of the ‘community’ and lifestyle’ areas, as we engage with our wider communities on shared projects, and encourage church members to think about what they can do at home, including wildlife-friendly gardening. We are hugely appreciative of all the hard work that we know is already happening.
“The motion that went to General Synod this weekend brings all this into a formal national commitment, with similar weight and importance as the 2020 net zero commitment. This commitment to improving biodiversity is a significant step forward, as we continue to prioritise care for the world that is God’s gift to us.”
‘That this Synod, recognising the need to respond urgently to the ecological crisis, in line with the global scientific consensus that the climate change and biodiversity loss crises are intricately linked:
(a) welcome the work being done by the Church Commissioners, the NCIs, and many dioceses, parishes, cathedrals, and schools to manage all or part of their land for climate and nature, in urban and rural communities alike
(b) request Diocesan Secretaries to task a named person / committee in their dioceses to create an action plan to achieve the ‘Land’ section of Eco Diocese at Silver level by 2026 at the latest.
(c) request Chairs and Secretaries of all diocesan property/finance committees to incorporate nature-positive objectives into their asset management policies within the next 6 months.
(d) call on all parishes, cathedrals, TEIs, NCIs offices with land they manage or influence to:
i. create a simple land management plan, with reference to the guidance and examples from Caring for Gods Acre,
ii. work towards an increasing level of Eco Church, including the actions in the ‘Land’ section, and
iii. record the biodiversity of their green spaces, through taking part in Churches Count On Nature each year.
(e) call on all Diocesan Boards of Education to work in accordance with the Department for Education Sustainability Strategy.
(f) request the Church Commissioners to report back to General Synod within three years about their progress with:
(i) enhancing and supporting biodiversity across their agricultural and forestry land,
(ii) engagement and collaboration with tenants about sustainable farming, and
(iii) their leadership amongst landowners in a way that recognises the importance of shared learning, support and respect in achieving these objectives.’