Environment
Strategy
Two-Year Plan
2017 – 2018
Document status and context
This document was created following the meeting of ECG on 6th October 2016.
Its purpose is to provide a draft contribution from the environment strategy to the
Diocesan Development Plan for the two-years 2017-2018.
It is largely derived from the draft version of the Environment Strategy as presented to
the Bishops Diocesan Council meeting on 20th September 2016.
This Two-year Plan sits within the full five-year framework of the draft Environment
Strategy and must not be considered as separate or distinct from that full Strategy. The
Two-year Plan is a distillation of that Strategy, designed to shape its initial period of
implementation, eliminating surprise and financial shock.
As this work develops, and realisation dawns concerning the full impact of climate change
and its ecological consequences, it is inevitable that there will be surprises and even
shock. Preparation for that realisation is within the scope of this Strategy.
CREATED: 6th October 2016
AUTHOR: Bill Stuart-White and members of the Environment
Core Group.
VERSION: Draft .01
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................... 3
Foreword from the Bishop of Truro .................................................................. 4
Theological Framework ................................................................................ 5
Policy Framework ...................................................................................... 6
Objectives: Developing Communication Infrastructures ......................................... 7
Reducing and Measuring Carbon & Ecological Impacts ............................................ 7
Strategic Aims and Targets within the years 2017, 2018 ......................................... 8
Aims ................................................................................................... 8
Targets ................................................................................................ 8
Management, Monitoring, Reporting and Review .............................................. 8
Appendix 1:
The Top Ten Pledges ................................................................. 9
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Executive Summary
This Diocese of Truro Environment Strategy aims to encourage all to live and work simply and
safely through carbon cutting and resilience initiatives. It proposes clear pathways and outcomes for
implementing the Environment Policy, reaffirmed by Diocesan Synod in May 2016. The Diocese of
Truro is committed to resource strategy development and commends individuals and churches to
read and study the strategy.
 The strategy begins by inviting all individuals to undertake the Top 10 Pledges to enable a
clearer understanding of the issues and to lay a foundation of behavioural change in order to
slow down climate change and to become a little more resilient to it.
 Next it invites local churches and PCCs to make small changes in their practice, following
the Green Church Kernow Award Scheme (GCK).
 Meanwhile, the Diocese (through the Boards, Committees and staff at Church House) will
proactively be looking at its activities and aiming to achieve the same goals, reporting
regularly via the Diocesan website and through social media and at least annually to the
Bishops Diocesan Council.
It is hoped to inspire individuals and PCCs to read and study the diocesan strategy and take part in
the whole activity of cutting carbon and finding ways to live in harmony with ecology.
Responsibility for implementation and ongoing development of the strategy will lie with a part-time
Diocesan Environment Officer in conjunction with members of the Environment Core Group and other
ecumenical and community partners.
Individuals
will be invited to undertake the rigorously tried and tested Top 10 Pledges
http://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/hot-topics/top-ten.php. By undertaking these pledges
individuals will be able to enjoy their own personal journey into understanding ways to connect with
some of the strategic aims in this document.
Beyond this initial strategy, individuals may wish to become involved in the next steps, working with
the Diocesan Environment Officer to see if this will lead onto further pledge schemes.
Churches will be invited to undertake the Green Church Kernow (GCK) Award Scheme
http://www.trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Green-Church-KernowEnvironmental-Award-Scheme-2016.pdf. By undertaking these awards parishes will be able to
enjoy and share their own journey into understanding ways to connect with some of the strategic
aims in this document.
Beyond this initial strategy parishes may wish to become involved in the next steps, working with the
Diocesan Environment Officer to establish viability and support for further awards schemes.
The Diocese will encourage and monitor parishes to account for carbon usage from energy and
water use, encourage GCK Award Scheme participation, Eco-congregation scheme participation,
Biodiversity & Ecology, participation in practical events, education and study, and link with the “Way
of Life” discipleship materials. It will seek to model best practice in the working of Church House
and through its Boards and Committees and will use a wide variety of means and platforms to
communicate helpful information and good news stories.
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Foreword from the Bishop of Truro
“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the
earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the
multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6)
The imperative to take action at every level to protect and sustain the life of the planet comes not simply in
response to the overwhelming evidence of the damage caused by climate change and the consequent threat to
life on earth. It comes also for us as Christians from our conviction that all creation is gift from God, and that
we have a responsibility to preserve and hand it on to future generations for their enjoyment. The Church
should be in the forefront of environmental activity, not least as witness to this belief.
For this reason, I am delighted that on 7th May 2016 the Diocesan Synod overwhelmingly passed a motion
reaffirming the Environmental Policy first adopted, together with the Cornwall Methodist District, in 2009 and
in addition committed itself to action at personal, local church, diocesan and national levels.
The first commitment of the motion was to commission a Diocesan Strategy to challenge and inspire us to
make practical differences. What follows in this document is that strategy, and I am grateful to the
Environment Core Group, and to Luci Isaacson of Climate Vision, for preparing it. Many of us have already been
challenged to begin our “environmental makeover” by undertaking Luci’s Top 10 Pledges, and in doing so we
have been reminded that many small changes can combine to make a major impact.
Widespread adoption of the Top 10 Pledges, and the subsequent changes in lifestyle that can flow from them,
is at the heart of the personal response called for by this strategy, but the challenge goes wider to our
collective response as Christian communities.
At the level of the local church, the emphasis is on a broad spectrum of green measures as recognised by the
Green Church Kernow (GCK) award scheme and I hope that every PCC will determine to work through the
levels over the next few years.
But this isn’t about “the Diocese” simply telling others how to live. It is critical that we model good practice in
every aspect of our organisational life. For that reason, the bulk of this strategy is devoted to reflecting on the
impacts of all our activities and committing ourselves to do whatever we can to give a lead from the centre.
I commend this strategy to you. I hope you’ll read it carefully and, as far as lies within your power, work to
implement it and to influence others to do the same. For my part, I’m continuing to work on the Top 10
Pledges, and to making sure the Strategy is implemented, and I look forward to seeing what other challenges
lie ahead.
Please join me in offering this prayer from Christian Aid’s “Big Shift” campaign.
Thank you for the gift of your creation.
As we travel through our lives may we take time to appreciate it,
from each sunrise to sunset; to celebrate the intricacies of your handiwork,
and admire the changing of the seasons, recognising that this is a gift.
And may we care deeply that as our climate is changing,
future generations may not have this luxury of enjoyment,
that people around the world are already suffering from climate change.
May our actions reflect a love for your world and justice for those affected.
Give us prophetic imagination for a world free from poverty.
Amen.
+Tim
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Theological Framework
The worldwide Anglican Communion has identified five “Marks of Mission” to challenge and enable
the Church to be faithful to God’s calling. These Marks are often summarised as TELL, TEACH, TEND,
TRANSFORM and TREASURE. It might be tempting to confine our environmental responsibility simply
to the fifth: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the
earth”, to treasuring our planet. That alone would be reason enough to address the huge issues
raised by climate change. In reality, however, every one of the Marks calls us, in a whole variety of
ways, to a radical and whole-life response.
 TELL - to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. That Good News starts with pointing human
beings to their Creator and calling them to lives characterised by humble gratitude for all God’s
good gifts.
 TEACH - to teach, baptise and nurture new believers. We are absolutely clear that our “core
business” as a Diocese is discipleship, learning how to be followers of Jesus Christ and teaching
others to follow him too. This learning and teaching is not primarily about facts and beliefs but
about how to live well, in harmony and not in conflict with Creator and creation alike.
 TEND - to respond to human need by loving service. The most profound impacts of climate
change are already being felt by millions of the world’s poorest peoples. Our most effective
response to their needs is to modify our own behaviour.
 TRANSFORM - to seek to transform unjust structures of society... there is no greater injustice in
the C21st than that the excessive consumption of the rich leads to the displacement and suffering
of the poor.
 TREASURE – and yes, we do well to remember that humanity is not the whole of created order
but is interdependent with all earth’s intricate life-systems.
Environmental concern can no longer be the preserve of the green enthusiast. It lies at the heart of
the Gospel of the God who “so loved the world that He gave his only Son”. That is the conviction
that led the Diocesan Synod to reaffirm its 2009 Environment Policy, shared with our Methodist
friends in Cornwall, that affirms:
We are aware that:
 the life systems of the earth are suffering serious damage as a result of human activity;
 our use of fossil fuels has contributed to this damage;
 the world's poorest people are especially being affected by climate change and pollution;
 serious steps need to be taken to alter these trends.
We believe that:
 the world is God's creation and God cares about it;
 God is involved in the life of the world through the action of the Holy Spirit;
 it is our Christian responsibility to alleviate the damage being done to the life of the earth
and to live with love for others and for future generations.
We commit ourselves to:
 live simply that others may simply live;
 respect and celebrate God's creation in nature;
 radically reduce our use of fossil fuels;
 work ecumenically alongside people and groups in Cornwall who want to put this into
practice.
The Strategy contained in this document is an attempt to set a framework within which we can turn
these aspirations into reality. Like any strategy, it only has value in so far as it impacts on behaviour,
and this strategy seeks to influence our actions individually and corporately.
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It takes as one overall goal the reduction of carbon released into the atmosphere and proposes a
range of measures by which this can be achieved and measured. The measurements proposed are not
precise, and the means of measurement do not all require the meticulous reading of meters, but the
impacts can nonetheless be clearly demonstrated.
The Strategy contains details of the aims, targets, key performance indicators and implementation
mechanisms relating to the key areas and supporting plans.
It is our hope and desire that it becomes a working-document for individuals, PCCs, Church House
and for the Boards and Committees of Truro Diocese and that through its outworking the church in
Cornwall can not only model environmental best practice, but also in doing so witness to the creative
and redeeming love of God.
Policy Framework
Individuals
The strategic plan will communicate with everyone from the
individual, the church, the structures and staff within the
Diocese.
Individuals as they live as Christians in their daily lives
Local churches, being at the heart of their community
Churches
The diocesan Synod, boards, committees and departments
Diocese
The plan connects everyone with the targets, the actions needed
to achieve those targets, with a thorough action-oriented
approach.
Diocese of Truro
Environment
Policy
Key performance indicators (listed along with more detailed strategy workings in a separate
background document) define who/how the Diocese will carry out the objectives of the strategy
Reducing
•Carbon
•Ecological
Impacts
Measuring
•Carbon
•Ecological
Impacts
Developing
•Partnerships
•Communications
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Ensuring the strategic aims in these areas are considered, met and committed to.
Using the means of
Carbon
Reduction
Biodiversity
& Ecology





Communications
Education
Research
Partnership
Estate management
Objectives:
Developing Communication Infrastructures
The strategic plan recognises in communicating with a complex organisation, a straightforward yet
constructive plan must be created to allow for the different forms and means of communication. It
speaks to the three areas:
Individuals as they live as Christians in their daily lives
Local churches, being at the heart of their community
The diocesan Synod, boards, committees and departments
It recognises all individuals are invited to take part on their own, within their Parish or in their role
as staff, on a Board or Committee for the Diocese.
Once the rhythm of the plan is underway, its flexibility will keep the environment strategy alive in
the organisations operation and in the parishes and individual’s consciousness. It will provide
information resources relevant to and accessible by what this document will now refer to as the
whole diocesan community, to encompass everyone described above. As further scoping works are
undertaken through strategy development, clearer challenges will be issued to encourage each group
to demonstrate change, reporting to the Bishops Diocesan Council.
Reducing and Measuring Carbon & Ecological Impacts
The strategy invites all individuals to make a personal connection with climate change via the Top 10
Pledges (Appendix 1). This enables the ability and capacity for parishes and the diocese to facilitate
the Church of England's national Shrinking the Footprint commitment to reduce carbon in their daily
lives.
It will encourage where appropriate, following best practice, to measure, benchmark and monitor
carbon and energy usage of all types, to inform and motivate the whole diocesan community in their
carbon reduction, energy-efficiency and overall address resilience to climate change. Everything is connected. All that exists is as it has been from the beginning. Of course it changes its
form in the process of living and dying. Each thing we do in life has an effect, somewhere, somehow,
causing change. No action is without impact. Only human beings make 'waste'. As human beings we
are called to care for Creation. We can make an effect on the world for the better. Tiny, right
actions taken by each one of us show faith in our generous Creator God. Our right actions as
individuals, in our church communities and in the organisation that is 'the Diocese', all make a
difference for the good for the ecology that is God's world.
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Strategic Aims and Targets within the years 2017, 2018
Given that:
The Diocese has, through the Bishops Diocesan Council, committed to engage the services of a
Diocesan Environment Officer (DEO) on a consultancy basis for each of the two years, by setting a
budget of £10,000 plus expenses for the DEO and the continuing work of the Environment Core Group
(ECG); the ECG will direct that person to engage:
 with Parishes and Individuals for two-thirds of their available time; and
 with the Diocese, through its Boards Committees and central organisation for one-third of
their available time.
Our aims as ECG and targets for the DEO during these first two years are
these:
Aims
To enable individuals, churches and the diocese to connect with this Environment Strategy and
adjust daily behaviours and take new actions to reduce both carbon and their ecological impacts
significantly.
To work with Communications Department to develop a Communications Plan to promote
engagement with this essential work in God’s Mission.
Targets
i.
to contact each of the 12 Deaneries in the Diocese and visit at least three-quarters of
them during 2017;
ii.
to set up a day on environment and ecology in the earliest available time slot in one of
the Bishop’s special days for Continuing Ministerial Education and Development (CMED);
iii.
to engage during 2017 with Parsonages, Glebe, Investment, DAC and the central
organization and work with each to enable the development of their own Environmental
Policy and Action Plan derived from the framework of the Diocesan Environmental Policy
and Strategy;
iv.
to work with the Education Department and schools, seeking to learn from them and
provide a resource to the them to further their strategic engagement with the
environment.
Management, Monitoring, Reporting and Review
The Environment Core Group will provide overall direction to the DEO.
The Environment Core Group will review progress against the above Aims and Targets towards the
end of each year.
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Appendix 1:
The Top Ten Pledges
1. I pledge to ring my electricity supplier over the next 24 hours and see if I can switch to green
energy (if not I will find one)!
2. I pledge to buy local seasonal produce as much as possible – starting with at least 2 meals a
week
3. I pledge to educate myself about the science and impacts of climate change starting with
reading Climate Vision's article “Climate Change”
4. I pledge to contact my MP and my friends and make these pledges too
5. I have pledged to walk, cycle, use public transport or register with
www.carsharecornwall.com 08700 111199 to travel to work or regular journey at least once a
week.
6. I have worked out my own carbon footprint using one of the many easy to use carbon
calculators eg, http://footprint.wwf.org.uk
7. I pledge to do a ‘home energy check’ to find out how I can save energy in my home. Click
here to follow steps. (If you don't have internet, ask the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012)
8. I pledge to turn my thermostat down or use a thermometer to reach the lowest comfortable
temperature, typically between 18-21°C & think about putting on a jumper instead.
9. I have pledged to reduce my holiday air miles by 50%.
10. I pledge to research ‘Driving in a greener way’ by google/research or by ringing up a driving
instructor and booking a lesson to learn eco-drive ideas.
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