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The Environmental System and Diploma of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

(Text of the logo  in English: The Environmental Diploma of the Church)

The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland established a Church Environmental Diploma in February 2001.  A local congregation meeting the requirements can apply for the diploma. The church diploma is an environmental system created to be used by the local congregations. The requirements are listed in a handbook that is available in the two national languages, Finnish and Swedish. The diploma is to be awarded to a parish which has made long-term efforts in an environmentally friendly direction. The parish must chart the effects it has on the environment and set goals to reduce detrimental effects. Parishes are also required to continuously monitor their impact on the environment.

In order to receive an environmental diploma the parish must adopt an environmental system and fulfil the criteria of the diploma. The parish must set up a working group to draw up an environmental programme. The parish itself applies for the environmental diploma. When the programme is carried out in the parish, an assessor appointed by the diocese will inspect whether the parish fulfils the conditions of the diploma. The assessment will take into consideration such things as collection and disposal of refuse, energy use, cleaning, offices, cemeteries, forestry and environmental education.

By November 2004, more than 100 local congregations had already either got the diploma or were working towards it. The national working group responsible for the diploma is chaired by the Rev. Ouri Mattila, Dean of the Diocese of Mikkeli. In the Church Council the Secretary for Social Responsibility, Rev. Ilkka Sipilainen, is the person responsible for the environmental system. Contact: ilkka.sipilainenATevl.fi (substitute AT with @)