Circuit Environmental Commitments 2025

'The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display God's craftsmanship.' Psalm 19:1

The Methodist Church in Britain seek to be a Justice Seeking Church. As we seek justice for all, the five priorities identified for our focus are: Poverty, Peace, Discrimination, Refugees and Climate. A commitment to care for our common planet should have an impact on all of these areas of priority. Reflecting the urgency of the need for change, the Methodist Conference has set a target of becoming a net zero carbon emissions church by 2030.

Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District was the first Methodist District to register its commitment to becoming an Eco District. Along with other circuits in our district and following the example of some of our churches, we in the Telford Circuit now make our own commitment.

We in the Telford Methodist Circuit affirm our Christian belief that caring for God's earth and loving our neighbour is part of our faith in action and we seek to embed this within our worship, the management of our assets, our common life and our mission.

Our commitments in this document will help us to take transformative action by raising awareness, challenging the things we say and do and embedding more environmentally friendly practises into the management of our churches, manses, and office. We also commit to encouraging our congregations and groups to make their own commitments.

PRINCIPLES

We will show our care for God's earth and loving our neighbour in the Telford Circuit through:

• our worship and teaching, prayers and spiritual life
• the ethical management of our assets, land and investments
• engagement with our communities
• encouraging reflection on lifestyle choices
• seeking opportunities for transformative action

RESPONSIBILITIES

Growth Team 6 (Justice, Compassion and Peace) to take a lead on actively promoting and championing our Eco policies and activities through meetings, discussion and teaching and providing opportunities for congregations to engage.
The CLT to ensure that manses and the Circuit office comply with legal and regulatory requirements and the aims of the Methodist Church for the reduction of carbon emissions.

Presbyters, Local Preachers and Worship leaders are encouraged to embed care for creation and environmental issues into the leading of worship, studies and prayer. Churches are encouraged to hold an annual Care for Creation Service for which suggested resources will be made available for September each year.

INVESTMENTS

The Telford Circuit recognises that circuit investments are to be managed with due consideration to the environmental and ethical implications, considering the climate change investment policy of the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church and the resources available within the Ethical Money Churches project.

360 Degree CARBON

Churches are encouraged to use 360 Degree Carbon, a free to use, collaborative, web-based tool to support them in measuring their carbon footprint with reference to energy, travel, food, waste and other expenditure. This will enable discussion of actions to improve future footprints. 360o Carbon is the recommended online tool under the ECO Church scheme and will also assist Property Stewards in completion of their Annual return on Methodist online.

PRACTICAL STEPS

Moving towards a sustainable future is not about being perfect, it's about taking steps in the right direction. These first steps seek to provide guidance and encouragement to churches, and in doing so help our Circuit progress towards improving our environmental footprint.

BUILDINGS

We recommend Church Councils and Property Stewards/Secretaries take all reasonable and practicable measures to maintain church buildings to avoid thermal loss and to look for ways to improve energy efficiency. The CLT are encouraged to do the same for manses and the circuit office. This may include:

• Insulation and double glazing
• Boiler efficiency and regular maintenance / servicing
• Energy efficient lighting
• Smaller groups meeting in rooms which take less time and energy to heat.

ENERGY & WATER

We encourage churches to use energy efficiently and wherever possible reduce its use. This will include considering:

• A switch to 100% renewable energy and 'green' gas,
• The replacement of lightbulbs with LEDs where possible
• When replacing appliances to look for those rated A+++ for energy efficiency
• The use of heating zones and controls and the installation of smart meters
• The fitting of toilet cisterns with dual-flush buttons or other water-saving devices.

Our Circuit Property Steward to ensure that all our Circuit Manses have an Energy Performance Certification (EPC) to comply with minimum legal requirements for all residential tenancies of an EPC rating of E. Where reasonable and practicable the circuit will work to improve the efficiency of manses to a minimum of 'C' energy efficiency rating.

TRAVEL

To make efforts to reduce air pollution and energy consumption by the avoidance of unnecessary travel by car both circuit and churches are encouraged to:

• Explore ways to use online meetings in conjunction with face-to-face meetings
• Encourage car sharing where possible

FOOD & DRINK

Circuit services and events to use Fairtrade and/or ethically sourced goods and churches to be encouraged to do the same. Where food is provided, efforts to be made to minimise food waste.

MATERIALS & WASTE

Our Circuit Office, churches and congregations to be encouraged:

• To reduce paper usage (double-sided copying/printing) and the use of electronic copies rather than hard copies where possible
• To recycle waste materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, printer cartridges etc.
• To reduce our consumption of and where possible to choose environmentally friendly products for cleaning.
• To avoid the use of single-use plastics, paper plates etc where a more environmentally sustainable alternative is available.

MISSION & OUTREACH

We will look for opportunities:

• To link with other denominations, groups and/or circuits to promote environmental awareness and Eco Church.
• To participate and raise awareness of global, national or local campaigns taking action on environmental issues
• To learn from Charity Partners on the impacts of Climate change across the world and to invite speakers to show us how we can support the work that is needed.

COMMUNICATING AND CELEBRATING TOGETHER

We will take time to reflect on, share and celebrate our achievements through our circuit newsletter and website and at circuit events, services and meetings.