More than 400 pupils from nine schools went to Ripon Cathedral to see their ‘Threads through Creation’ exhibition this autumn. Textile artist Jacqui Parkinson spent nearly three years making ‘Threads through Creation’, a series of 12 silk panels telling the story of creation. 

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The CPRE are now inviting entries for their annual competition, which was won by St Mary’s, Kettlewell, last year. Jan Arger, CPRE North Yorkshire Chairman explained “North and East Yorkshire has hundreds of churchyards and they are beautiful places. That’s why we believe in celebrating them and celebrating the people that look after them – because they are often volunteers and they do a fantastic job.' 

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Flower seeds, bulbs and gardening equipment have been helping young people connect with nature, thanks to donations to a local children’s organisation by members of St Stephen’s with Eastburn in Steeton, Keighley. The Church has recently received a Bronze Eco Church Award for its environmental work. 

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Across the diocese and beyond over 300 people used daily prayer bulletins to cover COP27 in prayer. One major outcome from the international climate talks held in Egypt was the establishment of a “Loss and Damage Fund”, which will help to pay for protection of the most vulnerable countries already suffering climate breakdown impacts, such as drought, floods and storms. 

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Skipton Library recently hosted a display about the great work of the Towards Carbon Neutral Churches in Craven group. The group of five churches comprises Burton in Lonsdale, Carleton, Draughton, Embsay with Eastby and Holy Trinity Skipton. The display explains how the churches are working towards the Church of England’s target to be net carbon zero by 2030.  

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Diocesan Environment Officers from across the Northern Province, including our own Jemima Parker, were the guests of the Archbishop of York at Bishopthorpe Palace recently. In a Eucharist service the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell spoke of how climate change was the greatest threat for humanity and all of God’s creation at the moment. He talked of his own experience of much more frequent flooding at Bishopthorpe, with the River Ouse running behind the house. 

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Leeds City Council has been recognised as one of 122 city authorities across the world leading the way on climate action in a new list published by renowned international authority, the Carbon Disclosure Project. Of more than 1,000 global cities that received a rating this year only 12% received an 'A' grade. 

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Bishop Graham Usher has spoken about how Net Zero is just a fraction of what the C of E’s environment bishop is working on. He has given himself three priorities around net-zero carbon, land, and evangelism on the environment. The Church of England has committed itself to net zero by 2030: a move Bishop Usher commends as “incredibly bold”, and for which realism and hopefulness come together.



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There are now real examples of what a net zero church can look like. Seven per cent of churches in the UK are already carbon neutral; others are working towards that goal. Read about good news from around the country from Newcastle Cathedral to St Michael’s, Baddesley Clinton. 

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The latest data from its national Energy Footprint Tool suggests that the carbon footprint of Church of England buildings in 2021 was about 410,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This is slightly down on the 417,000 tonnes reported in 2020. The Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd John Thomson, who is the lead bishop for net zero carbon, said: “Despite the welcome return to public worship and to schools in 2021, the carbon decrease on the previous year is cause for encouragement.” 

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The COP15 Biodiversity summit of world governments struck an agreement recently to conserve 30 per cent of the earth for nature by 2030. If enacted, the “30 by 30” deal would boost the protection of vital ecosystems which are currently suffering from a host of human pressures such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and over-development. Church land can play its part in this nature recovery ambition. 

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Cartoonist, Dave Walker, is back in the Church Times starting a new series, entitled ‘The Dave Walker Guide to the Planet’, in which he will explore various themes relating to the environment. “I’m hoping that my drawings might provide a different and interesting way to consider subjects that I think it’s important we keep talking about”, says Dave. 

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10am. Where is God in all this? Meeting monthly across the Diocese to share opinions and views. Soulful Nature: A Spiritual Field Guide (2020) by Brian Draper and Howard Green. Look at how politicians deal with climate change; is there hope for a democratic solution?

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7-9pm online. 8 week course. For those wishing to be better equipped to fulfil a Parish Environment Officer or similar role.

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5pm. How can my church get to net zero? A webinar introducing the Saving Creation church toolkit to enable your church to start the journey to carbon neutrality.

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10am. Where is God in all this? Meeting monthly across the Diocese to share opinions and views. The Next Great Migration (2020) by Sonia Shah. Look at how politicians deal with climate change; is there hope for a democratic solution?

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10am. Where is God in all this? Meeting monthly across the Diocese to share opinions and views. Changing the Climate (2021) by Debbie, David and Jamie Hawker. Look at how politicians deal with climate change; is there hope for a democratic solution?

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7.30pm. How can my church get to net zero? A webinar introducing the Saving Creation church toolkit to enable your church to start the journey to carbon neutrality.

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A handy list of the special days that you could celebrate in your church or get active in your local community. Everything from Global Recycling Day and No Mow May to Big Green Week and Creationtide.  

View the list here

12-1pm. This webinar will give you the key findings from the Church of England's Carbon Emissions Report for 2021. It will also explain what is in- and out-of-scope of the Church of England's Net Zero Carbon target, and how we approach measurement using the Energy Footprint Tool for churches and the wider Energy Toolkit for other buildings and travel.

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12-1pm. Does your church want to know its carbon footprint? Find out how, and why it's important. This practical webinar will explain what you need to know to use the Energy Footprint Tool; what information you need to have to hand, and how to enter it. It also touches on the wider 360Carbon tool, for those keen churches which want to go further. 

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12-1pm. This webinar tells you where to start, if you want to create a net zero carbon action plan for your diocese, church, school, or other organisation. There are pointers about where to find data, the principles to adopt, who to involve, where you can find helpful examples, and the kind of milestones you may want to adopt.

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4-5pm. This webinar is part of our regular series for schools, aiming to become net zero carbon. This update covers: NEW resources to help schools, what key milestones to include in your own action plan, the Energy Toolkit, now open for entry for 2022 data, two inspiring case study videos from Blackburn and Gloucester dioceses. It is aimed at school leadership teams, Business Managers, eco-governors, teachers leading on the environment for their school, and those in relevant diocesan roles. 

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12pm. Join other from around the country to pray for national and international issues and, crucially, for all important local action and the individuals leading Eco Church in their churches. 

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12-1pm. This webinar is primarily aimed at those in diocesan roles who are helping their diocese become Net Zero Carbon. It goes through the key milestones for dioceses, where you can find resources and information to help you, and practical examples of what dioceses are doing. A tour of the online 'Net Zero Carbon Resource Hub' is included, and an update on national funding.

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4-5pm. This webinar will help your church get started on becoming a net zero carbon church. Come along to find out: What net zero carbon means? What kind of practical change might it require? How do you know your start point? What resources are out there to help you? Plus inspiring examples from churches around the country. 

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12-1pm. This webinar will help your church get started on becoming a net zero carbon church. Come along to find out: What net zero carbon means? What kind of practical change might it require? How do you know your start point? What resources are out there to help you? Plus inspiring examples from churches around the country. 

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Join in the carbon net zero church journey using this new toolkit for churches and read about churches who are already working to be carbon net zero. 

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A new environmental discipleship, enabling and mission pathway has been launched by the Diocese of Leeds. This pioneering training programme envisages three categories of engagement: Eco Discipleship for All (Saving Creation Bronze); Parish Environment Officer (Saving Creation Silver); and the pilot role of Eco Missioner (Saving Creation Gold). Enrolment for courses is now open. 

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The national C of E Routemap to Net Zero Carbon sets out the key steps along the way to reaching our ambitious target by 2030. We all have our part to play. There is now a new dedicated page and pack for Churches, Cathedrals, and Schools. 

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Funding Resources

Need funding for an environmental/renewables project? Visit the Diocese of Leeds Environment Funding webpage to find a list of potential grant funders, hear about the Diocese Church Buildings Fund and link to the C of E webinars on environmental fundraising. 

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Living in Denial

A poem by Area Environment Champion, Ros Swaney.

Download here

Eco Top Tips

Find a weekly top tip here for your parish newsletter:

Year 1

Year 2

Or watch the 10 Pledges carbon reduction video here. 

Book Reviews

Why not include a review from our Eco Book Club in your parish magazine? Eight reviews are waiting for you, just click on Book Reviews half way down the page here. 

Parish Environment Reps

Are you the environmental enthusiast in your church or do you know the person who is? We are seeking a Rep in each parish to receive information and take up training opportunities.

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Area Environment Champions

Seeking enthusiastic volunteers for Bradford, Ripon South and West and Wakefield Areas to support local churches in their care for creation.

More details here

Are you preaching on the environment or creative at writing liturgy, or songs for worship? The Diocesan Environmental Group has a Worship Subgroup who would welcome new members to help create new liturgical, hymnal and preaching resources.

Contact Jemima here.

Clergy or Clergy Family Members

To join the Clergy Property Carbon Net Zero Working Group. A group a clergy/spouses/family members is meeting to start to support the transition of clergy homes to carbon net zero. If you have any comments, suggestions or are interested in joining the group, please get in touch.

Contact Jemima here.

If we don’t laugh we’ll cry: helping you through the grief of ecocide...

Thanks to one of our readers for capturing these protestors and sharing the shot!