Introduction
Here at St Peter’s we are committed pursuing sustainable and climate-friendly operations as part of our responsibility to care for creation.
Creation Care goes beyond being a simple initiative. It encourages us to be thankful “for this small earth of sea and land, for this small space on which we stand”.
It is a guiding principle that encourages us not only to improve our stewardship of the planet – God’s creation, but also to equip ourselves with practical tools to influence both our own behaviours and those of others. By highlighting straightforward actions, we aim to make meaningful contributions towards environmental sustainability.
This newly launched element of St. Peter’s website provides a more detailed introduction to our Creation Care aims and objectives, by making available our policy document entitled, “There is No Planet B”.
We also publish the booklet, “Saving Our Beautiful Planet”, which was introduced in 2026 by Reverend Amber at Harvest Time. Press the button below to download. We hope that you will find this useful.
There will be more to come!
St. Peter’s Ropley Environmental Policy
THERE IS NO PLANET B
In our Vision and Values initiative, we state that, “St Peter’s is committed to seeking sustainable and climate friendly operations in our Creation Care – we care about the world around us”.
1 Introduction
Our formal starting point is contained in a resolution adopted in 1996 by the General Synod of the Church of England that defined the Five Marks of Mission, which were introduced to the life of the Anglican church in 1984. The fifth Mark of Mission is, “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
In February 2020 the General Synod followed this with a target for all parts of the Church of England to work to become “carbon net zero” (ie. to have a “carbon neutral footprint”) by the end of 2030.
“Treading lightly upon the earth” is increasingly being seen as part of Christian discipleship. At its heart lies the idea of sharing. God shares his beautiful and diverse creation with us, in love and in trust. We share “a common home” with other people, other species and future generations. How we behave has an impact beyond ourselves. The Earth is bountiful but its resources are not limitless. If we carelessly use more than our share, it is others who pay the price. Loving our neighbour as ourselves calls us to reduce our carbon usage as individuals, and as a Church.
We need to act urgently to safeguard people, nature and all of creation from the effects of climate change.
2 Our Aim
St. Peter’s aim is to take the practical steps necessary to realise the Fifth Mark of Mission and meet the requirements of the Church of England’s Net Zero 2030 ambition.
Part of our Mission will therefore be to demonstrate that there is an awareness of the impact we all have on God’s creation and to take whatever steps we can to ensure that it is as low as possible.
3 Our Objective
Our objective is that we will take environmental concerns into account in all aspects of our church life, including worship, teaching, mission, pastoral work, youth and children’s work, training, administration, fellowship and charitable giving.
4 Our Actions
- We will include the importance of care for Creation in our worship, teaching and mission, and our work with children and young people.
- We will work with the Head of Ropley CofE Primary School as and when requested to assist in its implementation of a Creation Care programme.
- We will appoint an Environmental Focal Point to lead our programme and encourage him or her to regularly bring relevant environmental plans, proposals, issues and concerns to the PCC.
- We will carry out or participate in:
- the A Rocha Eco Church programme (a Bronze Award having been made to St. Peter’s in July 2024);
- arrange for an Energy Audit to be undertaken, using its recommendations to form the basis of a Net Zero 2030 plan in order to reduce our carbon footprint to the lowest practicable level (audit undertaken in May 2024);
- provide the Winchester Diocese with yearly data that will define our Energy Footprint.
Appendix
So that we can effectively implement this Policy, we will also consider (and not limit ourselves to) the following possible actions:
- Investigate the steps needed to improve our Eco Church award status
- Discuss how we might keep the Net Zero 2030 aim and, more broadly speaking, Caring for Creation “in the headlines”, for instance by producing flyers, useful tips in the news sheet, etc.
- Switch to “green” energy, such as biogas OR investigate renewable heating alternatives
- Continue to use “smart” thermostats for temperature control
- Continue to use LED light bulbs
- Reduce lighting levels or turning off lights, appliances and computers when not in use
- Limit or remove the use of floodlighting
- Improve insulation wherever practicable
- Encourage staff and congregations wherever possible to use forms of transport to work, meetings etc. that have minimum or reduced environmental impact
- Where possible, choose local produce
- Seek ways to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment wherever possible, for instance by:
communicating by using digital media in preference to the use of paper;
using only recycled paper or paper derived from sustainable sources;
using low environmental impact cleaning materials;
avoiding the unnecessary use of water - Continue to assess our land and property for wildlife and managing them to conserve biodiversity
- Encourage individual members of our congregations to take actions in their personal lives that will contribute to a more sustainable future
- Work with members of our local community to identify environmental issues which can be addressed
- Consider directing some of our giving to charities which are working to care for the environment or to support those who are adversely affected by climate change
- Seek grant aid support