The “Guardians of Creation” project, an initiative of the Diocese of Salford, England, in collaboration with St Mary’s University and the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, has recently launched a series of materials to provide decarbonization guidance for Dioceses.
The project comprises five reports, each focusing on a different aspect of the Diocesan response to reduce our carbon footprint and promote environmental stewardship.
Parishioner Engagement and Ecological Conversion
Alongside the reports presented, the project also shared an additional guide, Environmental Stewardship in Places of Worship: A Guide to Reducing Our Carbon Footprint.
You can access and download the guide under the “Resources” section on this page.
This guide serves as a valuable resource for reducing the carbon footprint of churches and other sacred spaces. It offers practical suggestions and best practices for:
✅ Energy efficiency
✅ Waste management
✅ Sustainable purchasing
✅ Engaging your congregation in eco-conscious actions
By implementing the recommendations in this guide, places of worship can become beacons of environmental stewardship, inspiring their communities to follow suit.
Mobilizing Communities for Footprint Reduction
Other key ways institutions can reduce their carbon footprint is by enrolling in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and creating a Laudato Si’ Plan.
After enrolling and answering a few quick questions, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform provides your institution with suggestions for actions that have the biggest impact towards the Laudato Si’ Goals. You can also learn more about your baseline impact and make better informed choices about your journey to total sustainability through the optional self-assessment.
Impact and Call to Action
Through collaboration with various institutions, the “Guardians of Creation” project empowers dioceses to embrace decarbonization strategies and environmental stewardship.
By implementing the guidance provided by resources like the “Environmental Stewardship in Places of Worship” and Laudato Si’ Action Platform, churches and other sacred spaces can become catalysts for change, inspiring individuals and communities to take meaningful actions toward a more sustainable future.
Let us heed the call for ecological conversion and sprint toward a healthier planet for current and future generations.