Woking URC Environemental Policy

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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

We believe that:  
We have been created by God as part of an interdependent living system
We are called to care for the earth and all living creatures  

Our Aim as a Church and individual Christians is to strive to safeguard God’s creation.  

PURPOSE

It is our intent, as a body of people committed by our faith to caring for God’s Creation, and who recognise the urgency of the climate emergency, to:

  • integrate our concern for environmental issues into the whole of our church life.
  • act urgently to reduce carbon emissions across the whole of church life in order to reach net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2030.
  • use the earth’s resources wisely.
  • enjoy, protect and where possible renew the natural environment.
  • protect and increase biodiversity.

IMPLEMENTATION

WURC will use A Rocha’s award scheme, Eco Church, to demonstrate that the Gospel is also good news for God’s earth. This involves considering worship and teaching, management of church buildings and land, community and global engagement, and supporting members to look at their own lifestyles. Our aim is to achieve the gold award in 2024 through the following actions:

  1. Worship and Teaching

a) ensure that those serving and being prepared for service in the church are cognisant of the global and spiritual context of the climate crisis as well as the response required by our faith

b) compile, promote and use resources for worship and teaching related to environmental themes

c) provide, promote and use resources and campaigns that support churches and church members to reduce their environmental footprint

  • Buildings

a) calculate and track the carbon footprint of key activities (such as energy use of buildings, travel and transport, and meetings)

b) develop and implement an action plan for making annual reductions in this carbon footprint in order to reach net zero emissions by 2030

c) investigate and where possible improve the levels of energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings, including insulation, glazing, ventilation and heating and cooling systems, through refurbishment or replacement

d) implement measures to reduce energy use

e) generate renewable energy

f) choose green energy tariffs, from suppliers investing in new renewable energy generation, and pay to offset the carbon emissions of any unavoidable use of fossil fuels.

g) consider meeting physically less frequently and making greater use of videoconferencing

h) consider the necessity and benefits of all travel with regard to its environmental impact

i) give preference to using lower-carbon modes of transport

j) when WURC requires or funds any travel on its behalf, WURC should also cover the costs of offsetting the associated carbon emissions through an appropriate scheme

  • Land
  • use the church land to encourage an enjoyment of nature by the church family and community, and to support wildlife
  • provide composting facilities and water butts
  • Community and Global Engagement

a) encourage members of the church family to adopt as many of the actions, itemised in this policy, in their lives as possible

b) advocate for action by government, industry and others to foster a deep, rapid and just transition towards a net zero carbon economy

c) campaign with others at local and national level for policies, targets and actions that take steps towards realising these goals

d) advocate for global climate justice and international financing mechanisms to be put in place to enable mitigation, adaptation and compensation for loss and damage.

5. Lifestyle

a) reduce the use and consumption of unsustainable resources

b) work towards eliminating the use of single-use plastics, given their significant environmental impact

c) support and promote the reuse and recycling of materials

d) dispose of waste in ways that minimise its impact on the environment

e) use fairly traded and locally sourced goods whenever possible

f) reduce consumption of meat and dairy products and other food with a high carbon footprint

a) if investing in shares, use ethical investment funds and support investment in renewable energy and clean technologies