Since 2017, the Diocese of Manchester has been integrating care for the environment into its strategy, training, investments, and communications.
We received an Eco Diocese award in December 2020 from the national environmental charity A Rocha UK, in recognition of our work. The Bronze award is testament to the churches across Greater Manchester and Rossendale who have worked hard to make their buildings and worship greener, and who have received Eco Church awards as a result. We are now working towards achieving Silver and Gold awards, a mission which is especially important following the Diocesan Synod motion in March 2021 which declared a climate emergency, and called for all churches to work towards achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
Steps we are taking:
- Encouraging parishes, chaplaincies and other ministries to integrate Creation care into their liturgy, worship and teaching
- Planning to achieve year-on-year reductions in emissions and achieve net zero by 2030
- Encouraging every church to achieve Eco Church accreditation, and every church school to establish an environmental policy and achieve eco school accreditation
- Prioritising the use of and investment in renewable energy
- Encouraging all Christians to consider their individual responsibilities and how they can take actions that safeguard creation and sustain the life of the earth
How churches can join the Eco Diocese journey
To help us on this journey, the priorities for our churches are:
- Complete the Energy Footprint Tool every year to help to identify your carbon footprint and your energy efficiency.
- Register for Eco Church and complete the Eco Church survey.
- Check out the Diocesan Environment Policy
Join the Eco Diocese community
The Manchester Eco Diocese Facebook page is a great place for sharing ideas, asking questions and signposting to resources. You can share your progress and let us know if your church receives an Eco Church award or has a good news story to share!
You can also follow diocesan eco news on Twitter @ManDioEco, and share your eco projects on social media using the hashtag #EcoDiocese.
How else can we get involved?
There are even more ways for you to get involved in our eco mission through learning and development opportunities. Ecology and Creation is an elective on the Authorised Lay Ministry course, and it can be taken as a standalone module via the General Lay pathway for those with a passion and interest in eco. Find out more.
Eco Stepping Stones is another great way for you to enhance your eco journey, as a church, a mission, and a community. The resource launches on the 16th September 2023, and is a three-part course that shares stories and ideas for enhancing your eco mission.
Further Help
For help or advice on environmental issues, please contact the Diocesan Environment Officer. The role is carried out by Grace Thomas, who you can contact at environment@manchester.anglican.org.
Take a look at our Grants support page - could you get a grant to boost one of your eco projects?
Support cycling and find out if your church is on a Beeway.