environment
I became a passionate advocate for our environment and a keen gardener, and today one of the ways I serve St Luke's is by helping to look after our church garden.
The Church should also have the courage to speak against injustice, hear voices that are often overlooked, respond to human need with love, and care faithfully for God’s creation and the environment.
I was an elected member of General Synod 2015-2021, where I contributed to a number of debates including those on the environment, women’s ministry, school inclusion, and ‘Conversion Therapy’, and submitted questions on environmental and other issues.
Environment and Heritage
To play my part I am a Trustee of two trusts dedicated to restoring, protecting and enhancing the environment.
Whilst in secular work, I learnt the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for all people to flourish.
Latterly, I led a team to support senior policy makers and scientists in the co-ordination of marine science research across the UK Governments, that should help our understanding of the effects of climate change and human impacts on the marine environment.
Synod’ (RIGGS) and ‘General Synod Environment Group’.
Buildings, the environment and social justice all matter, but they fall within, and are best seen as resulting from, the re-evangelisation of England.
A motif that has underpinned my ministry is a quote from an old report, Partners in Mission, 1977: “The missionary task of the church of England is reconciliation between God and humankind, person and person, and people and the environment.” (using inclusive language it was not written in.) Those three dimensions of reconciliation have been fundamental to my ministry and would underpin what I would seek to bring to my time serving on General Synod.
The two things which I am most passionate about are safeguarding and the environment.
Reinsurance reduces the impact of major claims for insurance companies and helps protect people, businesses, assets, the environment and sometimes entire countries.
All four of my churches have Bronze Eco Church Awards and we strive to challenge our parishes to be more aware of the plight of the environment, and to be proactive in our daily choices.
03 ENVIRONMENT I would love to see the church leading the debate on improving our environment and tackling climate change.
I also believe in the impact that incremental changes can make in improving the environment and setting an example.
I believe our schools should not only provide an excellent education, but also offer an environment in which young people can encounter Jesus, develop the confidence and resilience to navigate the uncertainties of life, and build foundations for a lifetime of Christian faith and discipleship.
The Environment Creation is a gift from our loving Father, entrusted to our care.
While I support the Church’s duty to care for the environment and its opposition to racism, I have opposed certain associated constraints and expenditures, such as the restrictions on churches replacing gas/oil boilers on a like-for-like basis and the proposals for what is effectively a £100m slavery reparation fund.
The environment is the existential issue of our day.
Five years ago we began a monthly Forest Church which has encouraged several families to experience church in an outside environment.
The environment I am dedicated to promoting eco-friendly green initiatives.
Caring about future generations, also means caring for our planet and the environment, which they will inhabit, and I support the Church of England’s Net Zero ambitions.
For many young people, climate change is their primary concern, so caring for the environment and evangelism go hand-in-hand.
Environment
Environment Group.
Environment.
• General Synod Environment Group (including working towards carbon net zero by
As a bird watcher, I have a keen interest in the environment and ecology, and I volunteer for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, surveying for water voles and otters, as well as supporting our local nature reserve (Millenium Meadow).
These two sensitive topics will no doubt dominate the next Quinquennium and, along with debates about equitable financial settlements, the importance of the parish, inclusion, the environment and so much more, I want to hear the quiet voices that often get marginalised during debates so that thoughtful, well considered legislation can be passed that will stand the test of time.
Recent work has led me to examine questions including creation and the environment, interfaith relations, and the General Synod debate concerning Palestinian Christian voices.
Throughout our mission service in Nepal, we lived in relatively basic conditions, close to nature and the environment.
I also joined the Diocese Environment Group.
As Bishop of Dorking, I have held portfolios for children and young people, vocations, the environment, racial justice, as well as being Warden of Readers.
I would bring my parochial experience, legal training and knowledge to General Synod to help our Church fulfil that role by supporting parishes, confidently proclaiming Christ, and ensuring a safe environment in which all can flourish.
ENVIRONMENT AND CARE FOR CREATION
n February 2019, I was a joint proposer of a successful composite Truro-London diocesan motion on the environment.
This was hugely successful and was a great opportunity to bring the love of Christ in a non-church environment.
We must also work to ensure we are caring for our environment and work towards our churches being net zero, for example using the newly created Hope for all Creation resources, which urge us to see, reflect and respond.
Environment:
I believe that Synod’s bold commitment to Net Zero by 2030 is prophetic and working together on the environment has proved to be a significant missional activity, touching on our common humanity and transcending more sectarian church divides.
I am a member of General Synod’s Environment Group and spoke in the 30x30 debate in July 2026, encouraging the Church Commissioners to be bolder.
The Environment – I am convinced of the need to address climate change, and the part that individuals and church communities can play.
• Our Christian commitment to the Environment must also be a key ongoing theme in coming years.
Environment
I have spent my adult life leading, serving and influencing beyond the immediate church environment.
faces many different challenges; ensuring proper safeguarding practices and training especially after the Makin Review, maintaining and growing both congregations and clergy numbers in an increasingly secular nation, stewarding our environment carefully while avoiding unnecessary burdens on smaller struggling parishes, and the list could go on.
Ministry in that environment involves pastoral care and worship, but it also requires leadership, the very best safeguarding practices, strategy, communication and the ability to work constructively with people who hold very different views.
Synod can be a complicated environment, with difficult and complex work required.
Environment and Climate change Understanding more about the challenges in South Africa and our other Link Dioceses and becoming a grandmother has made me even more passionate about reducing the impact of climate change.
Environment is one of the key foci of our South African Link, and we have explored Eco Church initiatives with all our Link Dioceses.
Environment and Heritage
Before ordination I worked in hotel and catering management, which was a great opportunity to work in a busy commercial environment and to meet lots of different people.
On General Synod, I’ve promoted LGBT+ equality, racial justice, safeguarding and the environment, as well as the role of AI.
My company, and the NGOs with which we partnered, took a wide range of people to work with the Bedu families and the challenges they faced, brought about by their complex environment.
I have served on General Synod for the past two years, and have enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with some important work on the environment, gender and sexuality, and the liturgical work General Synod has recently undertaken.
I believe I can make a difference because… I care about the environment — During this quinqenium we will continue work towards the Church of England’s 2030 net-zero targets.
Our approach to the environment also needs to be rooted in a proper theological understanding of creation before anything else.
I'm a member of the GS Environment Group, and since my time on the Pensions Board I've pressed for strong up-to-date policies on climate change.
• Politics – I support any politicians who show a concern for the environment and have a focus
I have consistently voted to promote the voice of the rural parish in meetings of the whole Synod, but also spoken at the Rural Affairs group, and the Environment group.
I worked for an equal opportunities employer, which recruited staff from all over the world based entirely on skills and experience, so I had the privilege of working in a respectful environment with women and men from many diverse backgrounds.
Climate Change – a moral and Christian issue I feel proud that our own Bishop Graham is the lead Bishop for the Environment.
I hold a traditional view of marriage and have a particular interest in education (having home-educated my oldest son for a year), the environment and conservation, and safeguarding.
Finally, what follows is a brief idea of what experience and qualifications I bring: ● 13 years of mixed urban (Stockport) and suburban (Chester) parish ministry including, in the last few years, leading a deprived parish into significant growth and securing major funding for its historic building; ● The last 5 years serving on General Synod and 11 years on Diocesan Synod; ● 7 years serving in cross-cultural mission; ● 6 years working as a consultant civil engineer in the water/ environment sector; ● MTh from Chester (through St John’s Nottingham) and MA MEng from Cambridge.
Synod is a busy and business-like environment, so I try to pray for wisdom before votes to ground myself in God’s will, remembering that each vote will impact individual people personally.
In line with the love of Christ Jesus, we believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and heard.
I support moves within the Church to respect and safeguard the natural environment.
Valuing local parish life and my personal experience: I am a clergy daughter and therefore I know and understand the reality of what it is like to be brought up in the environment of a busy vicarage.
prophetic on issues of climate change and the environment What can I offer
Why I am standing for General Synod I want to see young people’s voices heard in Church of England structures I am passionate about the future of the Church of England, which has a wonderful opportunity, as a Christian Presence in Every Community, to share the Good News of Jesus with my generation. I care deeply about the future of the planet (it’s the one God has given us to look after), and want to encourage the Church of England to support policies which will protect the environment, and help people effected the most by climate change. I want to foster better relationships with other churches – encouraged by the multi- denominational youth group in which I grew up. I am concerned with diocesan finances, and want to work for a better funding settlement from the Church Commissioners. I play an active role in my local Parish Church, and the importance of the CofE in every community in England cannot be underestimated.
We can give support to communities who want to engage through the Church of England Environment Programme.
Alongside that, when we discuss safeguarding, I would like some recognition for all the hard work our safeguarding volunteers and staff have put in to maintain this safe environment.
Protecting God's World: Local Environment & Wildlife
Loving our neighbour also means taking care of the environment we share.
The recent claim (Church Times, 14 November 2025) that traditionalist views on holy order create a ‘fertile environment for sexism and abuse’ has caused considerable hurt.
Parish support I am committed to ensuring that clergy and laity are fully supported to lead churches in a complex legal environment.
I will work with General Synod and our Deaneries and Parishes in Newcastle Dioceses to advance a culture and environment in which there are no impediments to people engaging in journeys of faith: ‘Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed’ (Hebrews 12:13).
chamber to a wide range of debates, and contributed to amendments on issues as broad as the environment and sports ministry.
Realistic aims for caring for creation I am committed to improving how our vicarages, churches and other property impact the environment.
Environment and Climate Change
In short, our church has become a happy, united and positive environment for worship and a focal point for the wider community..
Other challenges, in areas such as Medical Ethics, Safeguarding policy and structures, Social Policy and the Environment, face us urgently.
• Environment - caring for God’s creation;
I have a passion for the environment and to find ways of celebrating creation and raising awareness of the Climate Crisis.
• Foster a supportive environment that enables clergy and
I would support action to address cultural, racial, economic, and gender inequalities and to create a safe and viable environment for LGBTQIA+ clergy.
To continue to make progress on care of the environment
I have served as a Northern Suffragan on General Synod in the last quinquennium, and been called to speak on the environment, finances, LLF & prayer.
General Synod, like any human environment that encourages debate, will often be a place of disagreement.
I became secretary of the General Synod Environment Sue Cavill - championing the parish system, ‘green’ issues, lay leadership and listening I live in Long Eaton and have been a communicant member of the Church of England since the age of 14, including membership of 27 years in the urban priority church St. Christopher’s in Leicester, and since 2016 membership of All Saints and St Mary’s, Sawley in the Diocese of Derby.
environment team.
I have been General Synod representative on the National Environment Group, which oversees the Church of England’s environmental activities, including the Net Zero campaign.
In the environment of Synod, where there is sometimes disagreement, I would continue to commit myself to work for that unity as we tackle difficult and important issues.
I have been able to begin applying my experience within Chanctonbury church and the Christian charity sector which has started to hone these skills to the faith environment.
Then followed Sharrow and Upperthorpe, where we raised our children in a multi-cultural environment.
These will include: e Human sexuality, and how the church will, as I hope it will, become fully inclusive of all who seek to follow Christ e Safeguarding — how best to create and sustain an effective professional safeguarding service which is locally based while demonstrably independent of the Church e Recognition of our responsibilities as temporary custodians of our God-given natural environment, and encouraging society at large to face up to the challenges of climate change
Environment
In my work with schools I know how concerned young people are about the environment and I cannot help but feel we have let them down.
Beyond my parochial duties, my interests include organic gardening, the environment, cooking for friends with local produce, fine art, and reading.
Finances are an immediate concern, but so of course is the environment.
School Governor (since 2019) Member of my parish church environmental group Supporter of Prayers of Love & Faith for same-sex couples Advocate for equality, inclusion, Fairtrade and the environment Volunteer English teacher with local Ukrainian support group Former Modern languages teacher
My voting record on motions relating to safeguarding, the environment and sexuality is available for the electorate to consider.
Environment - I believe this has to be kept fresh for each generation, and for each new general synod quinquennium, no matter how much vocal and voting support has gone on in the past.
She does not belong to a single political "party" or faction, but her active contributions reflect practical care for the environment, structural accountability, and community welfare.
Some of you may be surprised to see this from me, as Synods are not my natural environment; however, I am deeply committed to the Church of England, its flourishing, and its call to be the body of Christ here on earth.
Every aspect of the training process and environment must be oriented towards developing a new generation of clergy who are fully prepared and confident to serve.
Environment
my Agency’s Climate and Environment Action Group.
I have spent many hours, days, weeks in a worshipful environment.
Careful deliberations need to continue, a few churches may need to close although careful consideration of pastoral re-organisation and strategic developments is required, as these may potentially lead to further irreversible church closures and fewer clergy. https://savetheparish.com Eco Church and caring for nature and the environment – Green investment is to be encouraged by the church, which is also aiming towards a net zero carbon footprint.
Environment
As a scientist and engineer I take a responsible approach to controlling the environment to combat global warming.
Her heart is to see the Christian message presented clearly in such an environment.” Seconder: Cathy Scott, Ealing Deanery Synod Treasurer, St Mary’s Northolt, Ealing Deanery, Willesden Area
Resources for parishes should also be joined up with the Church’s Environment Programme, which is due for renewal during the next Synod quinquennium.
During my youth, I grew up in a traditional evangelical church environment and have gradually transitioned to my current traditional high church parish.
Because of this, I believe that I have seen a wide range of worship styles and feel that it is important to support an environment of mutual flourishing.
I am also passionate about the environment and how we can protect God’s creation.
My main concerns have included the environment/net zero (we need to do more than live on unfunded hope), safeguarding (we need real and effective independence and culture change – read the recent Ineqe report on the national church).
Diocesan Environment
It has been one of the most interesting and rewarding things I’ve done, and enhances my volunteer work as your Environment Officer.
• Chairing and growing the General Synod Environment Group (GSEG), now
• Organising GSEG Fringe meetings supported by the CofE Environment
We also need to celebrate, support and value the thousands of volunteers who keep our church going! ‘I’ve known Cathy for the last eight years, initially as the Diocesan Environment Officer and more recently as an Honorary Canon at Sheffield Cathedral.
With support, lay people can be key to this work. ● Humbly tackling big issues: Since we know and trust God, we think differently about national and global issues like justice, the environment, wealth and poverty, racism and migration, class, prejudice and housing.
Young people are amazing and, while every generation has its own challenges, I believe the challenges this generation face are unprecedented as they grow up in an increasingly secular and individualist world where questions about identity and purpose are wrestled with in the public arena, and where they live with a hope deficit with regards to social justice and environment care.
As I grew older, I began to reflect some of the environment in which I had been raised.
● A Healthy Culture & Fair Working Environment for Leaders
• Being passionate about the environment.
I’m currently Parish Environment Officer as we work to
In a time of insecurity in economics, environment and society, people respond being drawn to the sanctuary offered by stones - living and otherwise - as we preach belonging, place, resilience, authenticity and faith.
I continue to believe that General Synod should be a place where any relevant subject can be discussed in a safe and welcoming environment.
Looking after the environment, enabling parishes to be greener as they work towards Net Carbon Zero and at a pace that works for individual parishes.
Creation care is not complete without love for the environment.
As an FE college governor bring a sense of the purpose and challenges experienced by young people and those educating them for their future lives and careers in an urban but largely rural environment.
As a farmer, he has gained practical problem-solving skills in engineering and a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature through working directly with it, which has fuelled his passion for the environment and climate change.
I believe we must do as much as possible with the resources and authority we have to do our part for our environment.
I train staff on wastewater treatment and biosolids treatment and recycling back into the environment.
Synod Motions at General Synod (See of Dover CNC, Confirmation statistics), Co-convenor of General Synod Anti-Racism network, part of General Synod Environment Group and working for full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Anglicans in all roles in the Church of England.
When we create an environment where people flourish, the church thrives and the wider community benefits from the light and hope we share.