Sustainability
Stewarding God’s Creation
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. John 1:3-4
What are we doing already?
We are taking the Climate and Ecological Emergency seriously and are prioritising reducing our environmental impact in every area of our work.
For example, we are currently working to:
- Improve how we light the Cathedral by switching to LED bulbs
- Join the Bristol Heat Network
- Investigate whether we can install photovoltaic panels on the roof
- Continue our A Rocha Eco Church Awards, having achieved Silver in 2024.
What is ‘Net Zero’?
The Church of England is committed to achieving net zero by 2030. As part of this, Bristol Cathedral has set up a ‘Project 30’ working party of clergy, staff and volunteers to make it happen.
Net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases we emit with the amount we remove. When what we add is no more than what we take away, we reach net zero. (National Grid website, 2023)
Wider Influence
It’s not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s also about helping shape a culture that prioritises care of all of God’s creation. For example, we:
- Place an emphasis on creation care in our teaching and worship
- Work to improve the lifestyle of our community by using practical tools such as our Eco passport to help individuals make small changes
- Host exhibitions such as Luke Jerram’s Oil Fountain to engage a wider audience in creation care
- Partner with Your Park to grow a wildflower meadow on College Green
- Challenge all our suppliers and contractors, whatever the project, to consider the Climate and Ecological Emergency in their practises.
We have a long journey ahead of us, but we are committed to the path towards net zero and better caring for God’s creation. If you’d like to keep track of the progress we’re making, follow us on social media and keep an eye on this page.
