Parishes from the Dioceses of Winchester, Guildford, Portsmouth, and Chichester gathered for a joint conference designed to raise hope and strengthen collaboration in caring for God’s creation.
Over 150 delegates attended, including many from our diocese along with our Archdeacon Richard Brand, returning home inspired by real examples of churches striving towards net zero, practical guidance on securing grant funding, and a powerful address from a group of young Christians who spoke about why creation care is central to their faith.
The conference was hosted at St John’s Church, Stoke, in the Diocese of Guildford, which is currently undertaking ambitious work as part of its pathway to net zero. Project Manager Dave Curran explained that the team’s vision extended far beyond energy efficiency – taking a holistic approach, the aim is to help communities reshape their buildings for mission, enhancing worship, strengthening outreach, and better serving the local community.
The conference opened with a panel discussion, in which the Bishops of Dorking, Portsmouth and Lewes, along with Archdeacon Richard Brand, outlined their climate vision for the next decade and emphasised that caring for creation is deeply woven into all Five Marks of Mission – telling, teaching, tending, transforming and treasuring.
During this discussion, speaking about his vision for the next ten years, Archdeacon Richard said, “I would love Christians to see creation care as a joy to be shared rather than a burden to be carried; to celebrate the joy in safeguarding the beauty of what God has created.
“I think that at a time many Western governments are retreating from the climate debate, the Church has an opportunity to step in and be a prophetic on the damage that is being done and what we can do to make a difference for good. Working together with young people in our church schools too, we really can be a louder voice that people listen to.”
The panellists also reflected on how conversations with global Anglican partners – many ministering in communities facing landslides, wildfires, flooding and repeated evacuations – bring the urgency of climate action into sharp focus. The panel also stressed the need for the Church to speak with a stronger, more united voice on environmental protection at a time when many Western governments are retreating from the issue.
A highlight of the day was hearing from a group of teenagers from Haslemere Parish, who have been instrumental in championing creation care locally. They spoke movingly about how their faith has grown through engaging with nature – whether leading litter picks, planting wildflower verges, or encouraging their church community to live more sustainably.
They urged church leaders to involve young people more fully in environmental decision-making, arguing that meaningful collaboration across generations would help churches achieve far more.
Despite acknowledging the scale of environmental damage, the young speakers offered a hopeful message: churches should not be shamed by what they haven’t yet done, but inspired by Jesus’ teachings to take the next step – reducing their carbon footprint and marking an annual day to celebrate churches’ environmental action as part of Creationtide season.
Delegates also heard from Julian Atkins, Head of the Church of England’s Net Zero Programme, who provided an update on the national commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2030. He urged us to become more Christ-like in our response to climate change, leading by example and speaking out against injustice.
Afternoon breakout sessions explored how churches can communicate effectively about climate change, advocate for creation alongside organisations such as A Rocha and Christian Aid, and strengthen environmental partnerships with local church schools.
Throughout the day, the tone remained hopeful. Everyone was encouraged to spend time learning from one another and sharing environmental initiatives that have worked well in their contexts.
There was also collective recognition that reducing carbon footprints and improving environmental practice requires significant resourcing. The bishops agreed that a key follow-up action would be to make a joint case to the Church Commissioners, asking for increased funding for net zero work ahead of the next Triennium.
