themes
environment and
climate change
news
We also have a separate list of events related to climate change.
August 2010
Church bells ring to highlight toll of biodiversity
The Church of England is encouraging bell ringers from small parish churches to large cathedrals to ring on September 22 to mark the UN 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.
Church of England 
June 2010
Operation Noah's seven year plan
Operation Noah, a Body in Association with CTBI, has unveiled its seven year plan of action.
Operation Noah
Ecodiocese Award
Ecocongregation and the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint programme are launching an Ecodiocese Award. Details at A Rocha UK
A Rocha UK's 2010 Environment Resource Pack
What a Wildly Wonderful World is now available for download. It can be used at any suitable time - such as for Environment Sunday, Harvest or Creation Time services.
A Rocha UK
April 2010
'Ask the Climate Question' campaign for the 2010 general election
In 51 targeted marginal seats, Christian Aid, CAFOD, and Tearfund, along with Oxfam, the RSPB, Greenpeace and WWF are making climate justice an election issue through the 'Ask the Climate Question' campaign.
Tearfund
Christian Aid
CAFOD
Stop Climate Chaos
Post election service and all night vigil 15/16 May
22 December 2009
Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches condemn climate failure
"The failure by negotiators at the climate talks in Copenhagen to agree to cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, after two weeks of negotiations, represents an immense set-back for rich and poor countries alike," said the Revd John Marsh, moderator of the general assembly of the United Reformed Church.
The Methodist Church
2 December 2009
Operation Noah plans daily videos from the UN climate summit
Operation Noah will produce daily reports from the climate summit which will be available on ON's new website.
Operation Noah - press release on Copenhagen climate summit (PDF)
9 November 2009
Climate Change, Copenhagen and the United States: An Urgent Call to Prayer and Action
The president of the John ray Initiative, Sir John Houghton, and the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, have issued an urgent call to prayer for the Copenhagen climate change talks.
Full text (PDF)
2 November 2009
C of E launches 7 year 'Church and Earth' climate change action plan
The Church of England's strategy, Church and Earth, outlines policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation, which will be overseen by the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint campaign.
Church of England
30 October 2009
Faith leaders - tackling climate change is a "moral imperative"
In the first statement of its kind, signed by leaders from every faith community (including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha'i, Jain and Zoastrian) the signatories recognise "unequivocally that there is a moral imperative to tackle the causes of global warming".
The Archbishop of Canterbury's website
30 October 2009
Churches lobby EU leaders ahead of Copenhagen Climate Conference
Church leaders have called on European politicians to make firm commitments on climate change policy at the EU summit meeting in Strasbourg.
Methodist Church
15 October 2009
Climate change report proves popular
Copies of Hope in God's Future - a report and study guide addressing climate change - are flying off the shelves just days after the first printed editions became available, says the Methodist Church.
Methodist Church
25 September 2009
Church of Scotland welcomes carbon footprint measures for congregations
Guidance detailing how every congregation can measure its own carbon footprint, and then take steps to reduce it, is available from Eco-Congregation Scotland.
Church of Scotland
Eco-Congregation Scotland
22 September 2009
Statement on climate change from the Church of England
Responding to the challenge of climate change in the run-up to Copenhagen, the Church of England's College of Bishops has issued a statement recognising the gravity of the ecological problems facing the world and the need to deal with them in ways that offer justice, hope and sustainable livelihoods to the poor.
Church of England
10 September 2009
Tearfund climate justice evenings
Find out everything you need to know to be part of a united Christian response to climate change. Events will be held at Sevenoaks 23/9/09, Guildford 6/10/09, Leeds 8/10/09, Reading 22/10/09 and London 19/11/09.
Tearfund
27 August 2009
Church building to be made of recycled rubbish
A Church of Scotland church is planning to make its new building from beer cans, tyres and shipping containers.
Church of Scotland
10 August 2009
Lambeth Palace bees buzz for miles
David Shreeve, the Church of England's National Environment Adviser, is encouraging city dwellers to keep bees.
Church of England
17 July 2009
Miliband energy plan is welcome - but will it protect poor countries?
New government plans to dramatically boost renewable energy in the UK and cut greenhouse gas emissions are extremely encouraging, says Christian Aid.
Christian Aid
10 July 2009
Operation Noah's London ARK event "a huge success"
Report from Operation Noah's climate change event beside the Palace of Westminster.
Operation Noah
10 July 2009
Church calls on all to repent of climate change sin
A report received by the annual Methodist Conference encourages people to acknowledge their complicity in systems that exploit creation and prey on the powerless.
The Methodist Church
8 July 2009
Church must assert responsibility for care of the environment says Pope Benedict XVI
In his Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI says the Church has a responsibility towards creation and must assert this responsibility in the public sphere.
Catholic Church in England and Wales 
Archbishop Vincent Nichols response to Caritas in Veritate (PDF)
11 June 2009
Shrinking the footprint in every parish
The Shrinking the Footprint campaign has unveiled energy saving toolkits for every parish in a bid to create the 20% Church by 2050.
Church of England
Hope in God's Future
This report by the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, exploring theology and climate change, is to be debated at next month's Methodist conference.
Hope in God's Future - Methodist conference agenda (PDF)
1 May 2009
Catholic Climate Covenant campaign
The Catholic Climate Covenant campaign, launched this week, offers a spiritual approach that requires individuals to go through a process of reflection and assessment before changing their lives.
Catholic Church in England and Wales
23 April 2009
UK budget: climate short-changed
Christian Aid says the government's first ever UK carbon budget shows a disappointing lack of ambition and leadership and a missed opportunity to tackle climate change.
Christian Aid
17 April 2009
Creation care resources
FutureShape? is a new resource to help churches explore creation care issues from a biblical perspective.
BMS World Mission
6 April 2009
Operation Noah campaign video available
You can now watch a video of Operation Noah's flagship event, in Cardiff Bay, for the ARK campaign.
Operation Noah
26 March 2009
Respect for the environment is not an optional extra
The Archbishop of Canterbury argued that we are capable of changing our environmental situation through a radical change of heart, during his Ebor Lecture at York Minster.
The Archbishop of Canterbury website
24 March 2009
Climate Change Protest in Coventry
Short report on the recent Climate Change Day of Action which began with a service in Coventry Cathedral.
Union of Welsh Independents
23 March 2009
Churches challenge G20 leaders to act on global warming
Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church leaders have challenged the G20 heads of government, meeting in London next week, to show real leadership and ensure that solutions to the current economic crisis lead to action on global warming.
Baptist Union of Great Britain
18 March 2009
Church action starter pack from Operation Noah
Operation Noah has produced a pack of resources to accompany its ARK campaign, which includes the workbook Between the Flood and the Rainbow, the DVD God is Green, liturgical resources and specific ARK campaign actions people can take, such as the origami ARK petition, the ARK building competition and instructions on how to organise an event.
Operation Noah
9 March 2009
Green Lent Online Calendar
Prayers, meditations and green tips for each day in Lent from the Girlington, Heaton and Manningham Council of Churches (Bradford).
Green lent Online Calendar
2 March 2009
Churches warn Prime Minister on moral challenge of climate change
Three church leaders have added their voices to The Church of England and The Church of Scotland's in warning the Prime Minister that not acting urgently at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference would be a "moral failure".
Methodist Church
19 February 2009
New guide helps churches go green
The Church in Wales has released a new guide detailing how parishes can reduce their carbon footprint.
Church in Wales
13 February 2009
Operation Noah launches ARK campaign in Cardiff
Operation Noah has started a new campaign leading up to the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Operation Noah
13 January 2009
Tearfund carbon fast for Lent 2009
Fast and pray with Tearfund this Lent to cut your carbon use and help protect poor people from climate change.
Tearfund
4 December 2008
EU climate plans 'dangerously inadequate' says Christian Aid
European plans to keep world temperatures within safe limits are dangerously inadequate and must be much more ambitious warns a new Christian Aid report.
Christian Aid
4 December 2008
Churches respond to report from the Committee on Climate Change
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have urged the Government to reduce Britain's carbon emissions following publication of the report from the Committee on Climate Change.
Methodist Church press release
Committee on Climate Change website
2 December 2008
Scottish Parliament to debate the growth of Eco-Congregations
On Wednesday 17 December, the Scottish Parliament will debate the success of the Eco-Congregation movement in Scotland, highlighting the role that it can make in tackling climate change.
Eco-Congregation briefing paper
2 December 2008
Church of Scotland opposes new coal power station
Reverend Ian Galloway argues that approving a new coal power station in in North Ayrshire would make a mockery of the Government's pledge to fight climate change.
Church of Scotland press release
24 November 2008
Reclaim Christmas campaign from Operation Noah
Instead of shopping, Operation Noah is encouraging people to reduce their consumption footprint over the Advent period.
Operation Noah website
18 November 2008
Church of Scotland urges parishioners to lobby MSPs
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland has asked parishioners across Scotland to raise awareness of the Eco-Congregation movement in Parliament and beyond.
Press release
10 November 2008
Christmas resource from Operation Noah - drama for young people
Operation Noah's drama for young people, called A Present for the Future, is available for download. It was commissioned for the 'Reclaim Christmas' campaign and written by TenTen Theatre Company's Marc Norris.
Operation Noah
10 November 2008
The Church of Scotland wants the Government to work with Eco-Congregations on climate change
The Scottish Government's biggest secret weapon against global warming could be sitting in the pews of Scotland's churches, according to The Church of Scotland.
Church of Scotland press release
4 November 2008
God's world is a gift on trust: Theme for Education Sunday 2009
Next year's Education Sunday will highlight the role of schools and colleges in helping young people lead lives that recognise the vital importance of caring for God's creation.
Church of England press release
26 September 2008
What is the greatest threat to the planet?
The world's resources are running out and many environmentalists blame Church teaching, writes Mark Dowd of Operation Noah in The Catholic Herald.
The Catholic Herald
26 August 2008
Don't Stop at the Lights: Church plan for a year of action on tackling climate change
A new guide from the Church of England offers church leaders a template for a year-long programme of practical action to reduce their congregations' carbon footprints, as energy prices head upwards.
Press release
26 July 2008
Lambeth Conference 2008 plenary session on climate change
Bishops have no option on climate change
Report by Mark Dowd, Operation Noah, in Church Times
12 July 2008
Address to URC General Assembly
Mark Dowd, from Operation Noah, addressed the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly on how climate change will be a catalyst for migration.
Operation Noah
10 July 2008
Church needs to focus on envirionment, not sexuality - Pre-Lambeth statement of the Welsh Bishops
The bishops of the Church in Wales are calling Anglicans to focus on environmental issues rather than sexuality, at the Lambeth Conference, which begins next week.
Press release
10 June 2008
Archbishop and church leaders call for worshippers to make 'Time for God's Creation'
Church leaders have called upon Christians throughout England to use the period from 1st September until 4th October as an opportunity to put the environment at the heart of their worship.
Press release
10 June 2008
Church of England submission to the House of Lords European Union Select Committee's inquiry into proposals to reform the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Submission (Doc)
2 June 2008
Church of England submission to the House of Lords' Select Committee on Economic Affairs inquiry into ‘The Economics of Renewable Energy'.
Submission (Doc)
2 June 2008
Union of Welsh Independents publishes environmental pack
Union of Welsh Independents has produced "a colourful and useful pack - based on solid scriptural and scientific authority - dealing with contemporary ecological themes from a lively Christian viewpoint", in the Welsh language.
News story
30 May 2008
Bishop criticised for speech on climate change
The Bishop of Chester faces criticism for his comments in the House of Lord's about the causes of global warming:
News story from Ekklesia
Open letter to the Bishop of Chester from Mark Dowd, Operation Noah
Bishop of Chester's speech (Hansard)
20 May 2008
100th Eco-congregation Award in England & Wales
St Thomas' Church in Salisbury received its second Eco-congregation Award in May 2008, the 100th award to be given in England & Wales.
Press release: 100th Eco-congregation Award in England and Wales (PDF)
19 May 2008
Government and business leaders talk climate change at Lambeth Palace
A climate change round table, chaired by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News, marked the first anniversary of the Together campaign.
Press release
16 May 2008
CofE Environmental Adviser calls for end to spin
The Church of England's Environmental Adviser, David Shreeve, is calling for households to switch off their energy-hungry tumble dryers and, instead, dry their clothes on good, old-fashioned clothes lines.
Press release
8 May 2008
Bartholomew I honoured for environmental concern
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is listed as one of the world's 100 most influencial people by Time Magazine. He has been honoured for a clear moral and spiritual vision, with a vision dominated by his concern for the environment, according to his entry which was written by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Press release
Time Magazine entry
7 May 2008
Eco-Congregation launches new website
Eco-Congregation has a new website for England and Wales, and is keen to include details of local group of Christians meeting regularly to address environmental issues.
Eco-Congregation - England and Wales
2 May 2008
Archbishop of Canterbury to shun air travel for 2008
In an interview with Green Futures magazine, also reported in The Times, Rowan Williams said, "This year I'm trying to take a rather more radical approach to my own air travel. The only fixed [flight] this year is a trip to Auschwitz. After that I'm looking at travelling by train in Europe, and not going further afield, and just seeing what that feels like and what issues it raises." Extracts from the interview are available on:
Archbishop of Canterbury website
2 April 2008
Bishops call for a greener EU Budget
The Church of England, House of Bishops' Europe Panel has made a submission to the European Commission's Budget Review exercise calling for a greener Budget.
Church of England press release
Church of England submission to EU Budget review (PDF)
25 March 2008
Climate change briefings
Operation Noah has updated briefings on climate change:
Update on the Climate Change Bill
Latest on climate change science
20 March 2008
Storm of Hope brochures
In April, Christian Ecology Link is producing a four page A4 colour brochure called Storm of Hope, encouraging people to take more care of the environment, with features about CEL, its aims and resources. Members of CEL will receive a copy, but CEL is making available free extra copies (also for non-members) for use on stalls, events, in churches and so on. Please email Laura Deacon
if you would like copies.
27 February 2008
Operation Noah's Mark Dowd addresses MPs
Mark Dowd, Campaign Strategist for Operation Noah, tells Members of Parliament "humanity is sleepwalking its way towards climate disaster".
Operation Noah
27 February 2008
Tearfund's Carbon Fast for Lent
Sign up for daily emails setting out the most compelling pieces of evidence proving climate change and download 40 actions for every day in Lent.
Tearfund
1 February 2008
Reports from the Hoping Rising climate change festival
Diocese of Exeter
Anne Pettifor, Operation Noah
14 January 2008
Documentary God is Green available from Operation Noah
Operation Noah's web site now includes a number of videos, including the documentary God is Green made by Mark Dowd, now Campaign Strategist for Operation Noah, which has been shown on Channel 4:
Operation Noah videos
9 January 2008
Operation Noah appoints Campaign Strategist
Operation Noah has recruited Mark Dowd, a former Dominican Friar and for more than 20 years a television producer and presenter, to a newly-created post of Campaign Strategist. Mark was the Churches Media Council's choice as Religious Broadcaster of the year in 2006.
Operation Noah press release
3 January 2008
Bible study pack for Lent
The Methodist Relief and Development fund has announced a new Bible study pack for Lent and beyond:
This Lent, don’t just change your light-bulbs, change your life (PDF)
31 December 2007
Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year message
God 'doesn't do waste':
Full text on the Archbishop of Canterbury's web site
Video on YouTube
28 November 2007
Green Church awards
The first-ever Church Times Green Church Awards ceremony was held on 19th November 2007 at St Mary-le-Bow church in the City of London. The Awards scheme, first announced in February 2007, was conceived by the Church Times, which then worked with a number of leading Christian agencies in the field of environmental action to make awards in six different categories. Holy Trinity, Cleeve, won the overall first prize as Green Church of the Year for its range of environmental activities. Full information about the scheme is available at www.greenchurchawards.org
