Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

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    Young people give rallying call for greater care for creation

    Category
    Environment
    Date
    22 Oct. 2025
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    STUDENTS from Christ the King College joined other speakers to share at the first Net Zero Carbon conference on the Isle of Wight last Saturday. Newport Minster hosted the conference that gathered worshippers and organisations from across the island, and a few who made the trip across from the mainland.

    The theme for the conference was ‘Toward and Eco Island’, and delegates heard from local church leaders and organisations pioneering new technology to help island residents care for the environment and live more sustainably.

    Students from Christ the King College with joint chaplain Claire Rennie and eco lead Jo James
    Students from Christ the King College with joint chaplain Claire Rennie and eco lead Jo James

    The day started with Rev Chris Bradish, team rector of Newport and Carisbrooke parish, who reminded us of our ‘anchor point’ as Christians for our creation care and net zero carbon work: the clear mandate we see across the Bible to care for and steward God’s creation and how this is inextricably interlinked with loving our neighbours, especially the vulnerable, marginalised and those living in poverty. Chris emphasised that, despite the constant wavering and negative messages in mainstream media and in some church circles about whether we should be engaged in this work, it is a key integral part of what God wants of us.

    Martin Carr, NZC project and engagement lead for Guildford Diocese and resident on the island, then presented on the ‘journey to net zero’ – although the route each church takes will be different, we don’t all have to create our own map as there are lots of routines, tools and guides already established and designed to aid us.

    A panel of worshippers from churches across the island share their successes and challenges with their Eco Church journey
    A panel of worshippers from churches across the island share their successes and challenges with their Eco Church journey
    Organisations and groups provided resources and connections to support churches in leading on creation care
    Organisations and groups provided resources and connections to support churches in leading on creation care

    The conference then heard from several churches of different denominations that are already well advanced on their journey with the Eco Church initiative. Steve Collins, NZC programme manager, led a panel discussion that demonstrated the rich mosaic of experiences and learning we can tap into within our wider church community. Despite challenges faced along the way, the churches on the panel told of the rich benefits that their involvement with Eco Church had brought, especially in widening and strengthening their missional relationships with their local communities.

    After various exhibitors provided brief overviews of the work they do and how they can be a support to churches around the island, Stephen Cockett from the Isle of Wight Community Energy initiative gave an overview of their work and areas in which they can work with churches. He demonstrated how, despite the enormous amount of carbon emissions our society needs to cut in heating and transport, the electric alternatives are highly efficient, making our task much easier than it may seem.

    A key presentation came from a group of students from Christ the King College, Newport, who shared how they were incorporating environmental sustainability work into routine aspects of their school life, and gave a rallying call to join with young people to tackle the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change.

    Delegates gathered in groups to share and discuss next steps
    Delegates gathered in groups to share and discuss next steps

    The final session gathered delegates in small groups to share and discuss next steps in their Eco Church and net zero journeys and how they can work together on this. The buzz of conversation in the groups was so great that the formal part of the day was closed slightly earlier than planned to allow delegates more time to discuss ideas and collaborations with more freedom.

    Our next NZC conference, in collaboration with Guildford, Chichester and Winchester net zero teams, takes place in Guildford in January 2026. You can find out more details, and book, here. There are also a number of short webinars that focus on various aspects of the net zero journey available to watch on our website here. Sign up to our Environment newsletter to hear about future conferences, webinars, training and news.

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