What is Action for Hope?

The Methodist Church has set an aspirational target of becoming a net zero carbon emissions church by 2030. Many districts, circuits and churches have already begun to work towards net zero goals, an Eco District award, or other aims in caring for creation.

To support this journey it was agreed at the Methodist Conference in 2020 that to enable the diversity of the church to fully engage, it was important to develop a range of key partnerships along the way.

With the endorsement of the Conference, the Methodist Church is working with Faith Invest who run the Faith Plans programme which help faiths to use their assets, investments and influence to drive practical action to benefit people and the planet.

The programme involves each religious group developing a long-term action plan to determine how they will manage their assets and resources over the next seven to ten years. The plan is called Action for Hope.

What is the focus of Action for Hope?

The Methodist Church has decided to initially focus on three key areas:

Faith-consistent use of assets – including investments, purchasing power, buildings and land.

Wisdom – including theology, liturgies and prayer.

Lifestyles – including traditions of simple living.

What does that look like in practice?

Assets

• By 2030 all travel, electricity and gas directly funded by the Church will have net zero emissions.
• Resources will be produced to support members and church leaders to reduce carbon emissions related to Methodist properties and activities as well as guidance on listed buildings, new property projects and use of other fuel sources.
• Much has already been achieved in recent years, notably in investment policies. The electricity used at Methodist Central House in London is from 100% renewable sources.

Wisdom

• The main resource available is Hope in God’s Future. This was last updated in 2020 but it is planned that a further update will be issued in 2023. The report offers not just a statement on our approach to climate change but resources including for small group reflection and whole-church conversation.
• Download the 2020 edition (PDF)

Lifestyles

• At the January 2022 meeting of the Methodist Council, the aim of encouraging Methodist members and adherents to reduce their carbon footprints, particularly via the three key areas of energy, travel and diet (the biggest contributors to individual emissions) was proposed.
• Updates and resources on living sustainably will be produced in the coming months.

The Methodist Church's Six Steps to Net Zero

1. Assess where you are. Take a snapshot of your carbon footprint now, as a community or as an individual.

2. Green your energy. Use energy efficiently by reducing waste. Where possible, source energy from renewables.

3. Travel smart. Minimise unnecessary travel, use public transport or bikes where possible, car share when you can and fly rarely.

4. Go for gold. Eco Church offers a structured and well-resourced award scheme for churches to join. Five hundred Methodist churches are already registered.

5. Live Light. Reduce how much we buy, reuse and repair what we can and make careful choices in what we eat.

6. Celebrate together. Take time to reflect on, share and celebrate your achievements.

Download a one page summary.

What next?

In autumn 2021, a task group of Connexional Team members was appointed to take the work forward, reporting to the Methodist Council on progress in January 2022 and to the Methodist Conference in June 2022.

Keep up to date via the Action for Hope page of the Methodist Church website.