Environment and climate change

Our principles  

We believe that God created the earth and gave human beings a distinctive responsibility to care for creation. We believe that the nature and climate crises show how people have failed to carry out this responsibility.

Christians are called to recognise the harm they have caused to the world and to turn away from actions that damage God’s creation. We are also called to remain hopeful and take action to protect and care for the environment.

We believe that responding to the environmental crises is a way to:

• worship God – we honour God when we care for creation
• work for justice – climate change hits hardest the poorest countries and poorest people of the world
• show love for neighbours, locally and globally.  

‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ is one of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion. 

Our work  

• The Church of England is working to become net zero carbon across the energy used to heat, light and power our buildings. Read our latest impact report.
• Nationally we contribute to public debates about climate care, including by attending COP summits and our bishops speaking in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, is the Bishop for the Environment.  
• Our churches and cathedrals run environmental projects of all kinds. From swapping to green energy tariffs for church heating and increasing biodiversity in churchyards, through to installing solar panels, using innovative new technologies and encouraging congregations to think about their own individual environmental impact. Read their stories.
• In our worship, there is a period in the autumn each year, called Season of Creation, when our churches often focus on creation. A new annual festival called ‘Creation in Christ’ approved by the General Synod will be celebrated first time during Season of Creation on Sunday 6 September 2026. The new provision for the Festival has been published in a Second Edition of 'A Time for Creation' online and by Church House Publishing.
• Respect for People, Respect for the Planet and Good Governance are the three principles underpinning the Church Commissioners’ responsible investment policy. 
• The Church Commissioners’ investment portfolio includes land used for agriculture, forestry, delivering housing and commercial spaces, and renewable energy production. We work hard to make sure that our land is managed in a way that supports nature, alongside our investment objectives.