Many of our parishes and ministry units have already been actively implementing environmental initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and improve energy and resource use efficiency.

If we are to meet our emissions reduction target of net zero by 2040, we need to continue these efforts. Therefore, all Parishes and Ministry Units are encouraged to develop appropriate strategies to assess and report voluntarily on carbon emission reductions, which are relevant to their context and within their current resourcing capacity. This will then allow progress to be objectively tracked and monitored.

Some of our parishes and ministry units are blessed with substantial amounts of undeveloped land that contributes to the natural environment. This in turn provides essential habitat for bird and animal life and native flora, enriching the biodiversity.  We are also blessed with unique ecosystems across the various regions of the Diocese (i.e. coast, alpine, bushland and agricultural farmland etc.).

On church grounds, there is an increasing movement toward developing community gardens and/or having reflective and contemplative gardens (e.g. labyrinths, micro forests, prayer gardens etc.).

Some parishes and ministry units are also now partnering with community organisations to develop these initiatives.

Other partnership opportunities include engaging with:

• LandCare/Greening Australia
• Local First Nations groups on land management and bushfire management/resilience
• Local gardening groups/Organic growers
• Beekeepers
• Wildlife groups
• Other advocacy groups

Liturgically, there is growing emphasis on teaching about our connection to creation and our responsibility for the care of our planet, acknowledging the impacts of climate change and the social justice considerations (eco-justice).

Across our parishes and ministry units there are existing strong connections with Anglicare in terms of social welfare, disaster recovery and resilience building initiatives.   

Opportunities exist to build greater engagement and understanding of the impacts of climate change on vulnerable people within our communities as well as neighbouring countries across the Pacific and more broadly.