Eco Church
The Church of England has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030. Our Parish is taking steps to achieve this.
We registered with the Eco Church Award Scheme with A Rocha UK in 2021. We were awarded our Bronze Award in December 2022 and our Silver Award in January 2025.
Here are some highlights from our eco journey so far:
Worship and Teaching
The Eco team holds All Age Eco services once a term, we have celebrated God’s Creation and focused on climate justice. We had a Lent series focusing on simplifying lifestyle. Our young people and children also get involved by having Eco Junior Church and Youth sessions, taking part in Eco All Age services. Our weekly news sheets contain Eco tips and prayers relating to the environment. More Eco tip ideas
Buildings
We have measured our carbon footprint and are working towards reducing it. We are in the process of installing LED lighting throughout the church and the hall. We plan to replace the main church lights with LEDs next. We have had a comprehensive carbon net zero survey carried out by Re-Energise and have a plan to replace the heating with air source heat pumps over time. We have regular building works to try to keep our buildings water tight, which is a big challenge for us. Our electricity is supplied through a green tariff.
Land
The churchyard at St Alban’s is managed with areas to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. Our churchyard has some mature trees and areas of grass which are cut regularly during the summer, but we also have areas which are left to grow longer to encourage a variety of flora and fauna. Our churchyard is open to all as a place for spiritual enrichment, where the local community can benefit from quiet contemplation in this beautiful and tranquil place. We have recently planted some apple trees in the churchyard as part of Surrey County Council’s tree planting project with the help of the local tree warden.
Image: Members of the church and community have also constructed a bug hotel called the ‘St Albugs’. It is in the top of the churchyard and all visitors are welcome!
Community and Global Engagement
We have engaged with the local community at local village fairs promoting environmental issues. Some of our members are involved with Transition Haslemere and we promote Love Haslemere Hate Waste. We have twinned a number of taps and toilets with the Toilet Twinning Scheme. We are a Fair-Trade church and use Fair trade or sustainable and ethically produced goods at church services and events. We compost any food waste through the local authority. We hold an annual Christmas Gift Bank and a Clothing Bank where good as new and used gifts or clothing are given a new home.
Lifestyle
We encourage everyone to reduce, reuse, recycle and to cut down on consumption. We have asked members of the congregation to complete a Lifestyle Survey. Our Eco tips encourage members of the congregation to be mindful of their lifestyle.
Helpful links
The Eco Church scheme and A Rocha: A Rocha UK – Caring for creation
How to pray for our climate: Tearfund Climate Campaign
Find out what you can recycle at home and locally where you live: Recycle Now
Calculate your carbon footprint: Climate Stewards
Encouraging households to make changes for God’s creation: Creation Care
How to get involved
We have a small Eco team and would love to welcome more members.
Do contact Helen Mitchell or Rebecca Willows via the form below if you would like to find out more: