In the environment

"Caring for the creation God brought into being, and which He loves, is a vital part of our mission as well as being an issue of justice." Bishop Mike Harrison

We believe that a fundamental part of our mission as Christians is to care for God’s creation. 

We are delighted to have been one of the first Dioceses in the country to be awarded bronze Eco Diocese accreditation under the Eco Church scheme run by Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK, and we are fast closing in on a silver award.  

The Diocesan Environment Group works actively to take our mission forward, by encouraging more local churches to engage with the Eco Church scheme and by seeking to resource and guide the Diocese at every level as the Church of England works towards the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

As well as this, we seek to encourage individuals across Suffolk to become better informed about enivronmental issues and to make greener choices where they can. In 2020, the environment was the focus of the Bishop's Lent Appeal and the Bishops have also hosted a training day on the climate crisis and why it should be of primary concern to Christians.

Diocesan Environment Policy

Our Diocesan Environment Policy, agreed unanimously by Diocesan Synod in early 2018, sits firmly within our Diocesan Vision of Flourishing Congregations Making a Difference. The table below shows our four Diocesan priorities that make up our vision and how through each we seek to further care for God's creation.

To learn more about our Environment Policy you can download it here:

Environment Policy | PDF

Net Zero Carbon

Our committment to the environment Find out more.

Be an Eco Church

Learn about becoming an A Rocha Eco church Find out more.

Season of Creation

Resources to plan your service Find out more.

Climate Sunday

Our committment to the environment Find out more.

Energy Footprint tool

Find out your church footprint  Find out more.

National eBulletin

Sign up for environment news to your inbox Find out more.

Sustainable churches

Make your church sustainable Find out more.

Wildlife in our Churchyards

Create a wildlife haven Find out more.

The environment and you

A few ideas that you can try Find out more.

More information

If you want further information about the Environment please email the Diocesan Environment Officer, The Revd Canon Mark Haworth.

Please follow our Facebook page and join the Environment Facebook Group.