1. Presentation to Diocesan Synod: 8 th November 2014 Environmental Policy

2. The challenge The question has not been about the policy itself, accepting its principles as being according to the Christian faith and with the Anglican tradition, but its practical application: Who do we contact? What do we do? How much is it going to cost? Unless these can be answered the concern is it will not be feasible and fail to achieve what it intends.

3. Who do we contact? The Diocesan Environmental Action Group (DEAG), through the chair (currently Mark Betson). Details of members of the group will be available via the Diocesan website The chair will pass enquiries to the relevant member of the group with experience and expertise to help. If the relevant experience is not within the group help will be sought through the networks the group is linked into.

4. What do we do? Undertake an environmental audit. Eco-Congregation – tried and tested, but there are others. Is it a job of work for a busy parish? Yes, but not without purpose or benefit. Decide if you want to act on the results of the audit? Publicise what you are doing.

5. What will it cost? Depends on what you want to do: Eco-Congregation audit – free self-assessment If you want to go for the award, £50 to sign up and £50 for the award. Church House audit – free through members of the DEAG Choose options based on what you want to achieve and what you can afford. Remember some options will save money or create an income rather than be an additional cost.

6. Eco-Congregation An award scheme designed to motivate churches to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth by incorporating the biblical ethic of environmental stewardship into their spiritual values, practical action and community engagement: Self-assessment of church’s ‘green credentials’ Serves to identify and celebrate what’s already being done; highlight areas for improvement; and establish priorities for future action Leads to formation of an action plan covering the spiritual, practical and missional aspects of church life

7. Community Energy South (CES) Support communities in CES to develop their own renewable energy (RE) projects. To provide opportunities for asset backed community/green investment. To support the development of a network of local energy efficiency services across the SE. To inform/inspire the public to generate and reduce their energy usage. To create and support a local RE industry To inspire communities to sell green, community controlled electricity.

8. Community Energy South (CES) Current groups cover the areas of: Eastbourne, Rye, Hurstpeierpoint Keymer Ditchling, Worthing, Chichester, Balcombe, Forest Row, Berwick/Upper Dicker, St Leonards & Hastings/Rother, Steyning, Brighton & Hove, Barcombe/Newick/Plumpton etc, Lewes and Newhaven surrounds Emerging groups are developing in: Mayfields, Wadhurst, Cuckfield, East Grinstead, Horsted Keynes, Crowborough, Ashdown Forest

9. Caring for God's Acre (CfGA) A national charity with a membership which supports the conservation of churchyards. Whilst recognising and appreciating that the primary function of these sites is for burial, quiet reflection and remembrance CfGA seeks to support their conservation and enhancement in a sensitive way. Through the CfGA website, telephone helpline, conferences, training days, case studies and printed information the charity supports people with the conservation of their own churchyards.

10. At a Diocesan Level Annual act of worship Environmental review by DEAG members consulting with departments at Church House Understand issues and offer suggestions: Speakers/courses for theological training Sources of funding for environmental improvements Links to environmental organisations

11. Linking to the wider Church of England Shrinking the Footprint – ‘The Church is committed to a carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050, with an interim target of 42% by 2020.’ The policy also commits the Diocese to supporting the aims of the national Church of England Shrinking the Footprint campaign. To do this the DEAG is intending to use data we have from a diocesan survey of energy usage in 2007 and contact churches from this survey to compare with current energy usage. This would give us an indication about trends in energy usage across our churches to inform further action.

12. Delivering the Commitments The DEAG will support the implementation of the policy, provide a central resource for parishes and the Diocese (through in-house expertise and through contacts accessible via the diocesan website and other publications), plus will offer to review progress. We can make recommendations to parishes but it will be up to individual parishes to take them up. Something that would be helped significantly by a commitment at the Diocesan level to take up the suggestions of a review and publicise the work done.

13. The next steps If Synod decides to go forward with the policy: Environmental review by DEAG members consulting with departments at Church House. Reporting back with opportunities and suggestions at an agreed time. DEAG to provide resources to support initiatives (website, paper, personal contact and local experts/opportunities) Invite parishes to take up an environmental audit as part of their mission.