Our Response to the Climate Challenge

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Psalm 24

Looking after the world, in all the different forms that takes, is a core part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus – as a church and as individuals. St Catherine's, Towersey aims to fulfil that responsibility by playing our part in responding to the current challenge to reverse the rising global temperature.

Changes we have made already to reduce emissions and increase biodiversity

  • For many years we have used Fairtrade drinks and collected rainwater for use in the churchyard

  • We switched our electricity supply to be fully renewable in 2014

  • As part of our recent building project in 2018, we:

    • Constructed a porch to improve the insulation of the church building

    • Installed new low-cost heating

    • Installed new LED lighting

  • We commissioned an independent energy audit and fully implemented its recommendations in 2020

  • We have estimated our church carbon footprint

  • We offset our residual carbon emissions by donating to a Climate Stewards tree planting project being led by churches and schools near Kitui in Kenya.

  • We have applied for and obtained EcoChurch Status

Further steps we plan to take as a church

  • Become carbon neutral by taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint as soon as possible

Further steps we encourage everyone to take as individuals and households

  • Calculate your household carbon footprint and take steps to reduce or offset it by donating to a Climate Stewards Project

  • Limit waste by adhering to the principles of reduce, re-use, recycle.

  • Use Fairtrade and/or ethically sourced goods wherever possible.

  • Use food that is Locally grown, Organic, Animal-friendly, and Fairtrade

Find out about what other churches and businesses are doing in Thame

More information about Thame’s response to the challenge is available on the Thame COP26 website. Do check it out and join in.