Quotes, Questions and Answers from the conference
From the Church and Climate Change - Shrinking the Footprint Conference 11 June 2009
Bishop of London
"We're all afloat in a great Ark and those in First Class are not immune from leaks in Steerage," said Bishop Richard talking about how Climate Change affects all.
Introducing the day he said that the CofE had been slow off the mark in getting involved with environmental issues but now saw ecological sustainability as integral to the mission and values of the Church.
Challenge
He said it was vital that the CofE did not compete with other faiths on "How Green are my Scriptures" and issued a challenge to the Church to make more of its networks and deep rooted connections throughout society. He added that the rationale of Shrinking the Footprint is getting ‘our own house in order' and that the CofE had a vital role to play in enlarging the room for manoeuvre of politicians as it did over its involvement with Make Poverty History and Jubilee 2000 campaigns.
Action
Bishop Richard encouraged delegates to tap into existing resources like Christian Aid Tearfund and Operation Noah- and not reinvent the wheel - and to keep up good communication channels between each others. He called for more action at regional level and for a news and calendar board on the revamped website.
More from the Bishop of London here .......
Joan Ruddock talked about the importance of citizens putting pressure on Governments before COP (UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen) in December saying that "the eyes of the world will be upon us" and the consequence of failure would be catastrophic. She added that faith groups had a major domestic and international role - across denominations and religions - in inspiring individuals and communities to take action and commended Shrinking the Footprint saying it could show the way to concerted community action on a wide scale. She also talked about the importance of helping developing countries through action on Climate Change focusing on justice for the poor.
Challenge
Encourage people to see what they can do, however small - "it is a challenge for this generation and we all need to be advocates". She added it was not just an issue for politicians and Green NGOs.
Charles Reed spoke about the new Climate Justice Fund being launched in September. Details can be found on the Shrinking the Footprint website.
Challenge
To help developing nations and all vulnerable communities to adapt and cope with the impacts of climate change.
Bishop George Browning former Bishop of Canberra and Goulbourn, Australia (now licensed as a priest in Salisbury Diocese) spoke about the Anglican Communion Environment Network (he was original convenor) and its submission/resolutions at the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in Jamaica this May. More details here
Challenge
It is vital to get every bishop to take a lead so commitment goes right down to the parish priest - need for rolling Creation Time (1 Sept - Oct 4) programme of celebration and teaching and liturgy of creation care.
Q&A session
(kindly supplied by Ian Christie of Theos with further feedback from Joan Ruddock's office on one question)
How helpful will English Heritage be in pursuit of these agendas? JR - need to conserve heritage but we need also to use all available potential for energy savings and carbon reductions. Feed-In Tariffs will be available next year to promote technologies in homes and communities. Will need ingenuity and creative compromise to make the most of heritage buildings.
What about embedded carbon in imports from China etc? JR - yes, significant amount of our CO2 comes in the form of embodied emissions of Chinese production. We need to help China grow sustainably and take a different industrial development pathway. NB per capita emissions from China are much lower than ours and USA's. But it's ‘impossible' to do carbon accounting except on national basis. HJ (Hugh Jones Carbon Trust) - all the supply chains are so intertwined that accounting on embodied basis is intractable. Also, the more we explore life-cycles and carbon footprints of products the more unexpected some of the results, eg butter from NZ in winter vs local butter in December - less CO2 per N import.
What about support for PV etc on church roofs - grant money has gone? JR - grant and loan schemes to be launched in wake of Climate Act. HJ - loans for payback schemes with less than four years - eg more useful things can be done than solar PV, which often mainly has symbolic value - GSHPs could be more valuable for example.
Environment is not just carbon emissions - other issues must not fall off the agenda. JR -‘sustainability goes far beyond counting carbon' and we have to value the ecosystems our economy depends upon - in money terms as well as for beauty etc. DEFRA doing a lot of work on this.
Resources for community action eg Transition Towns, from local councils? JR - public funding is under pressure but there are many schemes being supported. Councils being given v clear steer on performance indicators about climate action etc. and via CRC.
What level of Feed-In Tariff can we expect? JR (details supplied later) - Consultation period July - October with introduction April 2010, expected level five mega watts
Issue of intermittent use of churches (less use of heat - so GSHP may be less useful than solar PV) JR - but many churches are used daily with many community services.
Dave Bookless - how can we help Government create room for manoeuvre and public debate on climate as priority? JR - we can do ‘easy' things with no problem such as cfl bulbs - v important to make the small steps as well as try for large projects. We need all lofts to be insulated and all CWI opp's to be taken. When it gets harder - solid walls, people off gas mains - people are keen to act but not to take the financial risk. Government can't do free eco-makeovers for all. We need to stress the scope for saving money and making better future - so need a lot of help via social networks of all kinds. Act on CO2 campaign needs to be promoted by all. Positive that there was all-party support for the Climate Bill.
Isle of Wight wind power producer has failed - what can be done? JR: have increased incentives for wind turbine producers in UK but the reason for the IoW situation is fall in demand from USA because of the recession.
(13/06/2009)
