Creation Care and Environment
The climate and biodiversity crisis is a crisis for all God’s creation and a fundamental injustice. It affects most those who have done the least damage. However, across our Diocese people are involved in a range of activities to reduce carbon emissions, protect and enhance the environment and care for our neighbours. This is urgent and a responsibility given to us by God.
We are all encouraged to adopt care for creation into our faith practice. This has meant encouraging parishes to embed creation care into their church life, supported by a network of Deanery Environmental Champions. Care for Creation is built into our strategic decision making and is supported by the Diocesan Environmental Implementation Panel (LDEIP).
The Diocesan Environmental Policy
The Diocesan Environmental Network
Our Fossil Fuel Divestment
Becoming an Eco Church
The Diocesan Environmental Policy
The vision for the Diocese of Lincoln is a healthy, vibrant and sustainable church transforming lives in greater Lincolnshire. Environmentally, this has implications for individual Christians, every church and as a diocese together.
- every aspect of ministry and mission contributes to the well-being of creation. This includes our worship, training, assets, churches, churchyards, schools and glebe lands. They contribute through our stewardship of land, biodiversity, water, air quality, materials, resources and people.
- carbon emissions produced through our activity are reduced towards net zero by 2030. This in line with the motion agreed at General Synod in February 2020.
- we use the Church of England’s ‘Energy Footprint Tool’ to measure change.
- diverse ecologies and habitats of all living creatures thrive in Lincolnshire, and that its neighbouring seas will be richer in biodiversity.
- partnership working builds resilient communities able to respond well together to situations of environmental crisis.
Worship which glorifies God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, through liturgy, teaching, training, worship, prayer and resources
Discipleship inspired by Christ’s redeeming love for the whole of creation through building confidence and maturity in Christian environmental stewardship, cherishing of all creation and challenging injustice
Service bringing nearer the Kingdom of God through individuals, partnerships, parishes and as a diocese by engaging in local contexts and acting as global partners in God’s mission in the flourishing of life in all its fullness.
Environmentally, this has implications for individual Christians, every church and as a diocese together.
Becoming an Eco Church
Take action with A Rocha UK
All churches are encouraged to sign up to A Rocha UK’s Eco Church as a toolkit for taking environmental action. There are a growing number of churches signed up to Eco Church across the diocese, and many have already achieved various awards.
Get started as an Eco church
Connect with other Eco Churches
To connect with other Eco-Churches across the Diocese of Lincoln, contact the Diocesan Environmental Officer: sarah.spencer@lincoln.anglican.org
Divesting from fossil fuels
As part of the Eco Church journey, and applying the diocesan Environmental Policy, the Assets Committee have worked hard to divest from fossil fuels, and they invite church organisations to join them.
In 2021, the Lincoln Diocesan Board of Finance committed to divesting all financial investments from fossil fuel extraction companies.
Following thorough research and enquiry, we know financial assets are no longer invested in fossil fuel extraction companies.
The Right Revd David Court, Bishop of Grimsby and Chair of the Environment Implementation Panel, said:
“We are delighted to confirm our financial investments are divested from fossil fuel extraction. Reducing our carbon emissions and moving towards a low-carbon world is an urgent justice issue. Embedding the Church of England’s Net Zero commitment into all aspects of our life as a diocese is both a challenging and essential expression of our discipleship in caring for God’s amazing world and each other.”
The diocesan Ethical Investment Policy now specifically states that we are committed to disinvestment from fossil fuel extraction companies and this commitment forms part of the annual review process of Diocese’ direct investments.
Useful Resources
Download the Eco Church guidance on ‘Ethical Investment for Churches’:
Browse the Operation Noah website, which is a Christian charity working with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis.
