Church continues the work towards Zero Emissions

The 17th Assembly has resolved to continue the work of the Net Zero Emissions Steering Group to resource and encourage the whole church to move towards zero emissions by 2040. 

Over the next triennium, the Steering Group will develop standardised guidelines for all parts of the church to calculate and report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. They will conduct a feasibility study into the Uniting Church becoming a provider of carbon offsets and will further explore opportunities to work with First Nations people in achieving the targets. 

The new body of work includes a mandate to network and promote the resources of the Assembly and for the Assembly to facilitate an annual national Net Zero roundtable. 

Net Zero Emissions Steering Group Convenor Richard Arnold presented the Steering Group’s report detailing the work done thus far.

“I believe the job of reducing emissions is a task for all of us,” said Richard, highlighting the importance of putting into action our commitments to care for creation. 

The Net Zero Steering Group emerged from a decision of the 16th Assembly. A key feature of that decision was a commitment to listen to First Nations perspectives and insights in responding to the climate crisis. 

Richard referenced a video interview shared by the Steering Group with Panninher man Rev Tim Matton-Johnson who said that responding to the threat upon the earth will require us to rethink “the ways we do civilisation”. 

In the video Tim encourages Uniting Church people to see country as our first teacher.

“Everything is connected, everything belongs, we’re all neighbours. Each part of creation is important to the whole and the whole journey of creation is God’s project. It doesn’t just belong to all humans but to all creatures,” Richard shared from Tim's interview. 

The proposal was presented by Assembly General Secretary (Interim) Rev Lindsay Cullen and seconded by Alison Overeem, 

When asked if the focus on carbon offsets would detract from the imperative to reduce emissions, Richard responded that the church should absolutely focus on making changes to reduce emissions but alongside this carbon offsets would be necessary. Early exploration had shown the potential for worthwhile projects such as reforestation and working with Indigenous communities and church partners. 

Lindsay assured the meeting that the Assembly would maintain its advocacy in the public and political space in response the climate crisis but the focus for this particular group’s work was on doing the work to make the church and its practices more sustainable.

Going forward the Steering Group will act as a “communications hub” increasing the sharing of ideas and solutions by drawing on the good work already being done in other parts of the Church. 

Speaking to the report, Richard said most parts of the Church are aligned with the Assembly target of reaching zero emissions by 2040 and some have set more ambitious targets. 

While it was difficult to tell if the church was on track for its net zero target, Richard said many agencies were measuring and reporting their emissions as part of their annual report and urged all parts of the church to adopt similar reporting structures. 

A large part of the Steering Group’s work has been to highlight the many good news stories from across the church and its agencies of those finding innovative and creative ways to reduce their impact on the environment. He directed Assembly members to the Towards Zero Good News Stories hub which includes seven different examples of efforts across the church to move toward a more sustainable future. 

In a final word, leaning into the Assembly theme, Richard encouraged the church to strive to weave threads of love across all boundaries, including those that cover creation and the natural world.

Read the report and the proposals.