TEAM GB are not the only ones going for gold this summer, our own Ely Cathedral has just been awarded the prestigious gold Eco Church Award in recognition of their dedication and commitment to walk in step with nature and take action on climate change.
Ely Cathedral awarded GOLD Eco Church Award
Ely is only the third Cathedral in the UK to be awarded Gold by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK the internationally recognised organisation that has pioneered work among churches of all sizes and denominations to encourage good stewardship of God’s creation.
Ely’s recent Annual Report shows that 2023 was the lowest year so far in carbon emissions – a reduction of 42% from the peak in 2019.
They have achieved in all areas of the Eco Church survey but also have many other initiatives that demonstrate their creativity and forward-thinking approach, including: cutting paper use by adopting downloadable service sheets, regular litter picks, an innovative approach to food waste and engagement with Fareshare (https://fareshare.org.uk/) – a national charity that turns food surplus into meals.
Plus they are managing the land and gardens around the Cathedral for nature and recently planted hedgerows specifically to support rescued hedgehogs and they have plans to plant an orchard.
Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager, explained
“Our huge congratulations to Ely Cathedral on their well-deserved gold Eco Church award.
“Everything about their approach sets them out as an exemplar of what it means to be a gold awarded church, and their strong engagement in local networks provides opportunities to share their learning and experience as well as explain what drives their care for the environment”.
Ely Cathedral’s community environment group, RENEW, was formed in 2019 and joined forces with the Cathedral Chapter’s Environment Working Group in 2021 to use the Eco Church framework to strategically and methodically progress their net zero targets and environmental action.
Chair of Environment Working Group Alison Binstead said “We are all absolutely delighted to gain the recognition of Gold A Rocha Eco Church Award. It really has been a huge team effort across every area of Cathedral life and has brough with it so many positive changes.
“As a heritage building, we are fully aware of the challenges ahead and remain committed to both the financial & resource investment required to improve our carbon footprint moving forward.
“The support we have received from Eco Church right through bronze, silver and gold has been excellent and we look forward to continuing our environmental improvement journey with the exceptional team of people we have here at Ely”.
The Very Revd Mark Bonney, The Dean of Ely said
“… it is enormously gratifying that our care for God’s creation has been recognised in this way.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those on our Environment Working Group, the Cathedral’s Surveyor to the Fabric and Archaeologist, our fundraising team, Ely Cathedral Trust and our decarbonisation engineers at JG Consulting.
“We especially thank those who have done so much towards this in an entirely voluntary capacity, first by establishing the RENEW group in 2019 and – since 2021 – as members of the Cathedral’s Working Group.
“The Revd Jenny Gage (formerly our Minister for Social Justice), who sadly died in 2022, was instrumental in getting us started on this journey. This award is a fitting testament to her memory and a fantastic recognition of all that we do – and will continue to do – to respect the natural world”.
For more information about the work of Ely Cathedral’s Environment Group and how you can be involved visit their website here.
This latest award takes the current tally for our cathedrals to 19 Bronze, 19 Silver and three achieving Gold awards in the A Rocha UK Eco Church AWards.
The award scheme assesses five areas of the life of participating churches: worship and teaching; land; buildings; community and global engagement; and lifestyle.
Images – Cathedral lit green in celebration of its new Gold Rocha award. (Credit James Billings)
