The General Synod of the Church of England has agreed to recognised and build on Church work to protect and build on nature.
An amended Land and Nature motion passed with a near unanimous vote at the synod, meeting at Church House Westminster.
The synod is supporting measures to promote biodiversity on Church of England land, from churchyards as havens of wildlife and plants to the stewardship of agricultural and forestry land.
Members of the Synod welcomed progress already made by the Church Commissioners, the National Church Institutions, dioceses, parishes, cathedrals and schools to manage their land for climate and nature. And it approved further action to increase biodiversity, including work towards drawing up environmental policy and land management plans for dioceses and the recording of biodiversity in church green spaces.
The synod also backed a request for the Church Commissioners to report back within three years on progress in enhancing and supporting biodiversity across their agricultural and forestry land.
Introducing the lead bishop for the environment, Graham Usher, said there was a need for immediate action to promote biodiversity. He warned that the UK is now one of the most “nature-depleted” countries in the world. He said, “We are all too aware that this single island planet home of ours faces the twin interrelated crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Meanwhile, the UN’s World Wildlife Day on 3 March was marked by the Joint Public Issues Team of Baptists Together, the Methodist Church and United Reformed Church. The day celebrated biodiversity, highlighting the unique roles and contributions of wild animals and plants to people and the planet. The JPIT promoted a prayer and shared some new Baptist Union Environment Network resources. Among these is a downloadable film series, God saw that it was Good, linking science and faith around themes of coasts, sky, trees, and life.
Green Christian advertised the day’s live-streamed event from the UN headquarters in New York. The 2024 theme was, “Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”. It explored how digital technologies can support conservation, such as satellites tracking animals under threats and supplying data to chart wildlife migration and land use.
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