Net Zero

For the above reasons, we are still in the process of evolving a realistic strategy. However, such a strategy will contain the following:

•Eco Church silver status within twelve months (May 2023), and then setting sights on gold.

•Environmental champions in the Cathedral to work alongside the Eco Team in practical action.

•Abbey Works Committee to identify steps to improve building efficiency and to assess housing for energy efficiency, leading to actions for improvement.

•An energy champion to monitor and report energy use.

•To study the feasibility of air source heat pumps, initially as a hybrid solution, and of solar PV.

•To make environmental sustainability a key part of the Cathedral’s wider development aims, possibly as a continuation of its landscaping project.

•The environmental challenge now on the Chapter risk register to ensure that it continues to be addressed, and annual reports on progress towards net zero carbon.

Kevin Walton

The Eco Team has been active in several areas over the past few months. Two key activities are the participation in the St Albans Sustainability Festival – ‘SustFest’ – and the development of the Deanery Flat garden into a biodiversity area.

Several SustFest events took place at the Cathedral this year. The festival involves activities across the district all about sustainable living. A Prayer Tree in the Welcome Centre remained in situ throughout SustFest. People were asked to leave their thoughts and encouragement to help us live more sustainably and help the cathedral to reach net-zero by 2030. By the end of SustFest the tree was covered with leaves. Many prayers left asked to help the world’s poor and respect and support those around us. Ukraine was remembered. Many asked that nature be protected and more wild flower meadows and trees be planted. Butterfly World 2.0 organised a talk ‘Working With Nature’ by Jeremy Purseglove. An enthusiastic speaker, he explained how we can sustainably harvest the earth’s resources. Citing examples such as the impact of palm oil plantations on the Borneo forests and intensive arable farming around the world, he gave practical solutions. He explained that despite environmental damage done it is possible to enhance habitats in what was a hopeful message. On an overcast morning the Eco Team and Butterfly World 2.0 volunteers gathered in the Abbey Orchard meadow space for a BioBlitz. We invited members of the public to count bees, butterflies and beetles in one metre squares for 15 minutes. A number of families with children eagerly joined us. People passing by were also keen to see what we were doing. It was fascinating and encouraging to find so many different insects (20 different new species since 2021 count) in the developing meadow space.

Sarah Brooks