Blog

28

Feb

2024

Strengthened Land and Nature Motion Passes Overwhelmingly at General Synod

We’re pleased to share the news that the amended Land and Nature motion passed close to unanimously at the Church of England General Synod on Saturday 24 February. The motion recognises and builds on the work being done in many parishes and dioceses to protect and value nature, and it aims to raise ambition more widely for biodiversity in the Church of England alongside the Church’s existing 2030 net zero climate commitment.

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20

Feb

2024

Good News about Biodiversity, and Next Steps for the Church

St Andrew's Church garden with mixed group of people planting trees.

It’s good to celebrate a positive news story coming out of the Church of England, and there are some inspiring examples of local churches, ground-breaking dioceses and farming tenants leading the way in supporting the wonders of God’s creation in all its biodiversity. 

The upcoming Land and Nature motion at Church of England General Synod (23-27 February) recognises and builds on the work being done in many parishes and dioceses to protect and value nature, and it aims to raise ambition more widely for biodiversity in the Church of England alongside the Church’s existing 2030 net zero climate commitment.

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23

Jan

2024

Catholic Divestment moves forward: San Diego Example Pushes UK Churches to Rethink Fossil Fuels

This month, the Diocese of San Diego made history by becoming the first Roman Catholic diocese in the US to publicly commit to divest from fossil fuels – a bold move which reflects a growing global sentiment that it’s time to sever ties with an industry that not only harms our environment but also goes against the principles of justice and sustainability. The UK has been at the forefront of Catholic divestment, with the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference having divested as well as 12 Roman Catholic Dioceses in England and Wales, including the Diocese of Salford, whose bishop, Rt Revd John Arnold, is the lead bishop on the environment for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. However, nine Roman Catholic dioceses in England and Wales are still directly investing in fossil fuels, something we believe must change.

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27

Nov

2023

How your diocese or organisation could grow more trees, with help from the Woodland Trust

Our report, Church Land and the Climate Crisis, recommends three key ways that Church and Christian-owned land could be used to respond to the climate crisis. These are tree growing, peat protection and restoration, and supporting farmers to reduce emissions. We know that many dioceses and Christian landowners are keen to grow more trees, bringing benefits of carbon sequestration, habitat and biodiversity improvement and enhancing the environment for people too.

This video explains how the Diocese of Leeds have worked with the Woodland Trust to identify areas of their glebe land which are suitable for growing trees, and how this has been achieved with very little cost to the diocese. Nick Sellwood from the Woodland Trust shares how ‘this is probably one of the best times in many decades in terms of the funding available from the government in particular for tree planting’.

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20

Sep

2023

Dioceses continue to make divestment commitments in the UK

The Church of England Diocese of Guildford and the Catholic Diocese of Salford have announced their divestment from fossil fuel companies as part of an on-going movement away from the industry. 

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6

Sep

2023

Operation Noah at Greenbelt Festival: Church Land and the Climate Crisis Panel

Image of panel event in Hothouse venue

Held on the grounds of Boughton House near Kettering, the Greenbelt Festival is a unique gathering that focuses on faith, arts and activism and which is attended by many friends of Operation Noah. 

This past August bank holiday, Operation Noah ran an information stall alongside Green Christian and Christian Climate Action and we also hosted a Saturday evening panel discussion in the Hot House venue – an amazingly decorated tent that held talks on the climate emergency throughout the weekend. The panel audio is available to download here.

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