25 & 26 March 2025
BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY, CAMBRIDGE
Welcome
I’m delighted to welcome you to the Connect Conference 2025 in Cambridge.
This event is aimed at connecting you with others across the country who are delivering environmental programmes and net zero carbon plans in dioceses, all working together to help care for God’s creation.
We have an excellent line up of speakers, Q&A sessions and workshops throughout the two days, as well as plenty of time planned in for you to get to know others working in this vital area of work.
As you take part in this conference, my prayer is that you will not only be better equipped to carry out your day-to-day roles, but you will feel inspired and be reminded that you are part of a wider community, all committed to caring for the planet, nature and people.
The Rt Rev Graham Usher Bishop of Norwich and Church of England Lead Bishop for the Environment
Programme
Tuesday 25 March
10:00 Arrivals and refreshments
10:45 Housekeeping and introductions
10:50 A word from our sponsor Dan Bushell, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
11:00 Welcome to the Conference
Bishop Graham Usher, Lead Bishop for the Environment, NZC Programme Board member
11:25 Drivers for Net Zero - a Call for Change from the Polar Regions
Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, Director of Innovation and Impact, British Antarctic Survey
12:10 Comfort break
12:20 Breakout Session (1)
13:20 Lunch and Networking
14:20 Breakout Session (2)
15:20 Breakout Session (3)
16:20 Tea, coffee and networking
16:50 DEO/NZC Inspiration Panel With Matt Lockwood, Diocese of Portsmouth; Nigel Cooper, Diocese of Ely and Sue Willsher, Diocese of London.
17:35 Conference (day 1) finishes, depart for hotel
19:00 – 21:30 Conference Dinner at Lucy Cavendish College (CB3 0BU)
Our Buildings as a Blessing: Rev Canon Adrian Daffern
Programme
Wednesday 26 March
8:00 Morning Prayer (optional)
At The Chapel, Churchill College, CB3 0DS
9:00 Welcome
9:05 Being human in a world under threat Rev Preb Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge
9:50 Tea, coffee and networking
10:20 Joy and hope in environmental workrunning towards a dream rather than away from a nightmare
Ben Lillie, Diocesan Environment Officer, Diocese of Truro
10:50 Climate change - communicating for action Alex Randall, Climate Outreach
11:50 Breakout Session 4
12:50 Lunch and networking
13:50 Breakout Session 5
14:50 Insuring the road to net zero carbon Nick Morris, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
15:10 Communicating the NZC ambition with the challenges of the 2030 target and next steps on funding
Julian Atkins, Net Zero Carbon Programme Director
15:20 Closing remarks
Jo Chamberlain, National Environment Officer, Church of England
15:35 Close of event
Break Out Sessions
DAY 1
Session 3
DAY 2
Session 4
DAY 1
Sessions 1 & 2
Getting to Silver Eco-Diocese, including how to map land
Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer, A Rocha UK
This session will explore the silver Eco Diocese award criteria including: taking ownership, growing Eco Church, creating a land strategy and ethical finance. An opportunity to find out what’s required to fulfil the criteria with space to share and learn from one another.
Climate Action is Mission – ensuring our net zero work is set within the wider mission of the church
Rev Canon Grace Thomas, Manchester Diocesan Environment Officer
This session addresses the theological and practical elements of net zero work, including responding to people who are yet to be convinced of its Christian missional focus.
DAY 1
Session 3
DAY 1
Session 1
DAY 2
Session 4
Impacts in the Global Church, and how the church is adapting
Rev Canon Sarah Spencer, Diocese of Lincoln and Rev Tim Mayfield, Diocese of Newcastle
When the worst is already happening, how come we are still here? Sarah shares learning from the Diocese of Polynesia’s Moana - Water of Life conference, moving from vulnerability to resilience in the face of rising sea-levels. And Tim will talk about Conservation Agriculture: climate resilience and food security in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika.
Using EFT data and more - how can the NCIs help with access to useful data
Hilary Day, Data Analyst/ Statistical Researcher, Church of England and Tom Abraham, Diocese of St Albans
Discover the different types of data you can accessboth from the NCIs and from other sources to help inform your local net zero projects. This session will also include a discussion for people to share different analyses they’ve done that have been helpful.
Break Out Sessions
DAY 1
Session 2
DAY 2
Session 5
DAY 1
Session 1
DAY 2
Session 5
DAY 1
Session 2 & 3
Myth-busting heating options for churches
Adrian Fox, Environmental Sustainability Officer
Separate facts from fiction! Explore why heating options appraisals and energy audits appear to contradict each other.
How to work with Community Energy Groups and is it worth exploring?
John Taylor, Community Energy England
What are Community Energy organisations and should dioceses and parishes work with them? This sector delivers a broad range of activities across England from fuel poverty advice to multi megawatt generation projects.
Fundraising for NZC Projects
Helen Simpkiss, National Fundraising Advisor, Church of England and Emma Brooker, Net Zero Carbon Statutory Fundraising Coordinator, Church of England. Explore how to access different types of funding, from small-scale community fundraising to multi-agency bids to combined authorities, and everything in between. As well as hearing from the national NZC Fundraising Team about their work there will be time for discussion and peer learning about the challenges in fundraising for NZC projects. Please bring real life examples from your diocese about projects that have been successful in raising funds, as well as those that are struggling.
DAY 2
Session 4 & 5
DAY 1 & 2
During break times (10 min slots)
Cluster working - successes and lessons learnt
Emma Flint, Net Zero Carbon Regional Learning Coordinator, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich - Eastern Cluster & Steve Collins, Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager, Diocese of Guildford - GCP cluster.
Come along and find out what it’s really like to work in a Net Zero Carbon cluster. Whether you’re wondering what it could be like for your diocese or wanting to learn from other’s cluster working come along and hear about our successes and lessons learnt.
Drop-in Surgery: Questions on the NZC Programme? Ask a question!
Shannon Carr-Shand, Net Zero Programme Manager, Church of England
Speakers
Bishop Graham Usher
Graham Usher has been Bishop of Norwich since June 2019 and leads the Church of England’s Environment Programme, including the commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2030. He is also a Church Commissioner and the Lord High Almoner.
Bishop Graham’s first degree was in ecological science from Edinburgh University. He has written two books about Spirituality and landscape: Places of Enchantment, Meeting God in Landscapes (2012) and The Way Under Our Feet: A Spirituality of Walking, published in 2020.
He was previously a member of the Northumberland National Park Authority and chaired the Northeast Advisory Committee of the Forestry Committee. He is a keen beekeeper and is undertaking work to enhance the biodiversity of the historic Bishop’s Gardens in Norwich.
Julian Atkins, Net Zero Programme Director
Having worked in a variety of senior roles across the public sector over the past 20 years, Julian was Chief Executive of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority prior to his current role, tasked with managing and protecting landscape covering 1,347 square kilometres of Mid Wales.
As Net Zero Programme Director, Julian is responsible for providing national church leadership for the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme, working in partnership with colleagues across the Church to help to deliver upon the ambition set by General Synod in 2020.
Beatrix
Schlarb-Ridley, Director of Innovation and Impact at British Antarctic Survey & PCC Member St Philip’s Church Cambridge
Beatrix’ passion is to ensure that excellent research has benefit for society beyond academia, and addresses the burning issues of our time, such as creation care and climate justice. Her remit includes innovation that underpins decarbonisation of polar operations and beyond, making most effective, collaborative use of data for evidencebased decision making, and use of creative, inclusive, interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial approaches to effect change. She has also driven the development of the AURORA Innovation Centre at BAS.
Rev Preb Dr Isabelle Hamley, Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge
Isabelle is a speaker, theologian and broadcaster with a keen interest in questions of justice, human identity and health. She is an Old Testament scholar, and currently Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Her publications include Embracing Justice (SCM), God of Justice and Mercy: A Theological Commentary on the Book of Judges (SCM) and Embracing Humanity (BRF).
Dan Bushell, Technical Underwriter, Ecclesiastical Insurance
With a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Dan has specialised in providing insurance solutions for churches and cathedrals. Throughout his career, he has worked across various teams, focusing on underwriting functions, property, and liability insurance. Recently, Dan has expanded his expertise to include green energy insurance, actively exploring ways to support churches in managing and protecting these emerging risks.
Alex Randall, Head of Programmes, Climate Outreach
Alex leads Climate Outreach’s climate communication programme, helping organisations and policymakers engage diverse audiences with climate change. With a deep focus on public attitudes, Alex works to broaden engagement beyond the usual climate-concerned groups, ensuring more people feel part of the conversation and empowered to act.
Since joining Climate Outreach to lead its pioneering work on climate and migration, Alex has played a key role in shaping evidencebased public engagement strategies. With two decades of experience in climate issues, Alex brings expertise in audience research, narrative development and the social dimensions of climate action.
Committed to making climate engagement inclusive and impactful, Alex collaborates with governments, NGOs and businesses to shift climate narratives and build public support for action.
Nick Morris, Risk Management Regional Manager, Ecclesiastical Insurance
Nick Morris began his insurance career over a decade ago on a graduate programme at Ecclesiastical. With a BSc in Environmental Geoscience, Nick has always been passionate about risk mitigation related to our planet and its processes. Nick is also deeply interested in the built environment, combining his expertise in environmental science with a keen understanding of how buildings and infrastructure interact with natural processes. Recently, he has taken on a leadership role as a Regional Manager at Ecclesiastical, and over the past ten years has specialized in property risk management, working as a surveyor to provide guidance and valuations, primarily to heritage, education and church customers.
Jo Chamberlain, National Environment Officer, Church of
England
Jo is responsible for taking forward the strategy developed by the Environment Working Group, with a focus on the environment as a theological and mission priority.
Jo joined the Faith and Public Life team from Christian Aid and the Diocese of Sheffield where she volunteered as their Environment Adviser. She works closely with the Net Zero Carbon Programme Team and the Diocesan Environment Officer network, regularly hosting webinars and online network meetings.
Rev Canon Adrian Daffern FSA, Senior Cathedral and Major Churches Officer Church of England
Adrian holds degrees from the Universities of Durham, Oxford, and Cambridge, and is Canon Emeritus of Coventry Cathedral. He spent 30 years ministering in parishes and cathedrals before taking up his current post as Senior Cathedral and Major Churches Officer in 2022. He is Senior Associate Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. He is married to Megan, who is Canon Chancellor of Wells Cathedral.
Ben Lillie, Diocesan Environment Officer, Diocese of Truro
Ben Lillie is a husband, a father and a committed cold-water surfer. He is the Diocesan Environment Officer and Net Zero lead for Truro diocese, a trustee of Christian Surfers UK and a Surf Lifeguard in his home of Widemouth Bay, Cornwall. Ben sees the link between Jesus and justice as inseparable. He can’t quite escape the feeling or the reality that everything God has made is a gift and is good…even when it’s challenging! As such he attempts to enthuse joy and hope into our collaborative work toward climate justice. Ben is also ordained and enjoys preaching and teaching throughout Truro diocese.
Housekeeping
The Connect 2025 Conference will be held in the modern and spacious Aurora Innovation Centre – the headquarters of the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge.
Directions
The Aurora Innovation Centre is located a few minutes walk from Madingley Road free Park & Ride with four electric vehicle bays, with very easy access from the M11, and a bus service in/out of the city centre/train station.
For Cambridge-based visitors, cycling is by far the easiest access option.
Click here for more detailed travel information
Checking in
All visitors must check in via the main reception and you will be given a name badge.
Guest Wireless network
BAS-Guest:
Username: bas
Password: cambridge
Smoking
There is a non-smoking policy throughout the premises, but there is a designated smoking area outdoors.
Accessibility information
The Aurora Centre has step-free access and accessible toilets at both levels of the building. The Conference Theatre and rooms are equipped with infrared assisted hearing.
Health and safety
If you or others need first aid, please contact reception, dial ‘0’ from any internal phone, or call 01223 221400 from a mobile phone. The building’s fire alarms are tested each Wednesday at 12:00 and 12:05.
Fire safety
If you discover a fire, sound the alarm by breaking the glass at any call point situated throughout our building. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, please exit the building via your nearest fire exit, accompanied by your host. Fire evacuation procedures will be given at the beginning of each day.
Open environment and data protection
Many different people and organisations share the open office area. Papers left out may be seen by others and confidential conversations should be had behind closed doors.
Thank you for your co-operation and we hope you enjoy your visit.
With thanks
The Connect 2025 Conference has been kindly sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance, part of the Benefact Group.
Specialist Insurance and support for churches
At Ecclesiastical we understand the unique needs of churches, their buildings, and the people who care for them. Our commitment extends to protecting not only the buildings and heritage but also the environment.
Our ‘Climate Change and Your Church’ Made Simple Guide is a handy reference available on our website. It covers topics like reducing energy consumption, understanding potential risks, and finding further climate support resources.
Benefact Trust, our charitable owner, has pledged £1.5 million towards the Church of England climate project, which will support 60 churches in achieving net zero (or close to) by 2030. Grants are also available for building improvements and community impact projects.
As part of the Benefact Group, we offer numerous opportunities for grants and donations to help you achieve your goal of reaching net zero carbon by 2030.
