Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

By Alison Bogle, Diocese of Bradford, England.

Bradford Cathedral has been awarded Eco Congregation status – the first cathedral in the north of England to receive this prestigious award.

A dedicated team of staff and volunteers has worked for over three years to improve the carbon footprint of not only the Cathedral itself but the Close homes, and also encouraged the congregation to look at what they can do in their own homes.

Encouraged by The Church of England’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 42% by 2020, the Cathedral has instigated wide ranging initiatives including the installation of Green Cones and Composters, and having the Council supply bins for recycling glass, tin and paper: supplies wherever possible are FairTrade and milk is now delivered by a local milkman in glass bottles thus reducing the use of plastic containers and supporting a local supplier: sermons often include reference to humankind’s responsibility to look after our world and its resources.

Canon Andrew Williams, who has led the initiative said, "We are thrilled! Gaining this award seals a three-year process of examining carefully our use of natural resources and energy then changing our practice in over 20 different ways. But the hard work continues. In the next phase we will aim to share good eco-practice with neighbouring churches and partner organisations as well as seek ways to generate electricity and so contribute to the National Grid whilst reducing our own carbon footprint."

The award is being presented on Wednesday 25 August at 4pm when there is also going to be a presentation on Photovoltaic cells and whether it is possible to install these on the roof of the building, thus reducing the Cathedral’s reliance on the national grid, and also allowing it to become a micro generation site and put electricity back into the Grid. Local businesses and interested parties - particularly any churches in the Diocese – are invited to join Cathedral staff and congregation to discuss this latest initiative. Coffee and biscuits will be served from 3.30pm.

For more information please contact the Cathedral Office on 01274 777720.