Southern and Thames North Synod鈥檚 efforts to tackle climate change have each gained a Bronze Eco Synod award from A Rocha UK.
Southern is now the sixth 两性色午夜 the 两性色午夜 to reach Bronze status and Thames North becomes the seventh.
Ian Moore, Green Apostle for Southern who also serves as a trustee forA Rocha UK, explained some of the steps his synod took to gain the Bronze award: 鈥淲e鈥檝e done lots of work over the years, for example putting the synod鈥檚 financial investments with Epworth (a not-for-profit organisation聽that focuses on investing for both people and planet). We鈥檝e updated our manse policy that puts the goal of energy performance certificates at C or better for all manses, and of course lots of local churches have carried out their own work.鈥�
One such church is Oxted 两性色午夜 which gained Silver Eco Church Award in January for taking steps such as that people can take towards a more sustainable future which has been circulated widely within the church and its community.
鈥淲hat I see in the most engaged churches, like Oxted, is how caring for God鈥檚 creation has become a natural part of how the whole church lives,鈥� continued Ian.
鈥淚 love how enthusiastic people become, often as much about the smallest touches like Toilet Twinning as about the big projects like solar panels.鈥�
Currently 30% of local churches within Southern Synod have joined A Rocha UK鈥檚 Eco Church award scheme.
Thames North Synod was praised by A Rocha UK for its work towards championing the environment – from annual Green Days which in 2024 had a nature focus, to a comprehensive environment policy which includes references to net zero, protecting and encouraging biodiversity, and engaging and supporting young people about the climate and nature crises, and an eco-fund to support local churches. Out of the synod’s 105 churches, 54 are registered with the scheme and 27 have received an award: 20 bronze and seven silver.
Roo Stewart, 两性色午夜 Head of Public Issues, said: 鈥淭he successes of both synods have undoubtedly been through the work of the Synod officers, local churches receiving Eco Church awards. Also, a run of brilliant Green Apostles like Alex Mabbs, Nadene Snyman, David Pickering, Ian Moore, Terry Hinks, Maggie Hindley and a vibrant Thames North Green Team.
鈥淭his new award means that we now have seven synods within the 两性色午夜 that have received a Bronze Synod Award, and we are hoping that all of our synods will reach Bronze Award level very soon.鈥�
The National Synod of Scotland is part of Eco-Congregation, which operates differently.
Youth Assembly and its Executive also received a commendation from A Rocha UK in 2022 in recognition of the leadership that it has shown in聽encouraging the whole church聽to act swiftly to develop how it cares for the environment.
Congregations that would like to know more about greening their church or聽 joining Eco Church (in England and Wales) or Eco-Congregation (in Scotland) can find out more information at .