The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it – you have founded them.
Psalm 89:11
From Genesis, humans are shown to be part of God’s creation, shaped out of the same fabric as the earth itself. Our calling is to be stewards of this creation (Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:15). But humanity has fallen short of this calling, and we have misused the earth to our own gain (Isaiah 24:5).
As Christians, we have real hope in the promise that God will reconcile all things in heaven and on earth to himself (Colossians 1:20). However, in our love for God we should be joining to pursue God’s desires for our world, working to bring this new kingdom ‘on earth as it is in heaven’.
Our work encourages Christians to think about how we can live out this calling. We encourage practical, policy and political responses to the climate crisis and offer the opportunity to take meaningful action as part of a supportive community.
What will it take not just to survive, but to thrive?
As Christians, we believe that God doesn’t just promise life, but life in all of its fullness (John 10:10). We want all of God’s created Kingdom not just to survive, but to thrive. But within a climate crisis, we have to ask what will it take to make this happen, and to reach the global target of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees?
Find out just three ways you can begin to make changes, to see the world not just surviving, but thriving.
What can we do personally?
Hope in God’s Future is a report and study guide to help individuals and local groups understand the position of our Churches on climate change. It aims to make Christians aware of the vital connections between the environment and the Christian faith. Most of all, it calls Christians to transform their lifestyles through studying, praying and acting on environmental issues.
Climate Change and the Christian Faith
If you’re looking for an introduction to the climate emergency, the Christian faith, and preserving the planet as Christians, why not check out this article written for christianity.org written by JPIT member Steve?
Net Zero In My Neighbourhood
We’re calling on churches across the UK to engage with their local councils over their plans to reach net zero. We’ll supply you with resources and encouragement to build relationships with local civil society groups, in order to support your council and hold them to account to ensure that the transition is just and fair for your area.
Living Lent
In the past few years, Living Lent has asked Christians to respond to the call to climate action by making significant personal commitments to changing our lifestyles for the climate. We didn’t run Living Lent in 2021, but you can see all of the resources from previous years here.
What can our churches do?
Eco Church
Eco Church is a scheme run by A Rocha which guides churches in England and Wales towards expressing care for creation in five areas:
- Worship and teaching
- Management of church buildings
- Management of church land
- Community and global engagement
- Lifestyle
Once churches are registered they can apply for Eco Church Awards at the levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold. Any denomination or church meeting in any kind of building can register for the scheme. Currently there are specific Eco Synod awards for United Reformed Churches.
Eco-Congregation is a similar programme for churches in Scotland.
Visit the Eco-Congregation Scotland website
Guide to solar panels
As part of the Eco Church process, or perhaps as a separate project, you may wish to consider installing solar panels to help power your church building with green energy. In order to help with this the Methodist Church has provided a briefing document:
Solar panels on church buildings briefing
What can we do nationally?
Achieving Net Zero
In 2019 the UK government set their aims to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. In 2021, the government committed to slashing emissions by 78% (compared to levels in 1990) by 2035.
This means that emissions must be reduced to a level that will avoid the further build-up of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Find out more about the targets and what is needed to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Renewal and Rebellion: Faith, Economy and Climate
JPIT’s 2020 national conference Renewal and Rebellion: faith, economy and climate invited participants to rethink economic structures and take radical steps towards climate justice, as we act – in faith, for people and for planet.
Our previous campaigns
To find out about our previous campaigns on the environment click here.