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Part of the aim of ECEN is to provide a forum for exchange of good practice, models and case studies, in practical environmental care, or in engaging with wider policy issues. It might be ways in which you have been able to provoke thought on lifestyles, or to encourage creative expression of environmental concerns, in music, poetry, story, drama and the arts generally. If you have material to offer then Email the ECEN Webmaster, stating "ECEN Good Practice" in the title. We also have examples in the work of the different Coalitions. For example, the Creation Time Coalition explores different ways to celebrate God's creation in liturgy and worship. The Church Environmental Management Coalition looks at audits of church life and lifestyle. |
Have you got an example of good practice or a good idea for environmental care? Here is your space ... Send us an Example of Good Practice marking your email "ECEN Good Practice".
The Centre for Application of Renewable Energy of the Orthodox Academy in Vilemov launched a new ecumenical and environmental project in 2004 under the title "Churches for the Future- 50 Solar Roofs". The project aims to demonstrate the possibilities of solar energy utilisation in parishes and diaconal and educational institutions of various Churches in the Czech Republic. Czech parishes and Church institutions have already submitted more than 30 applications and the first solar-thermal systems on the Church buildings will hopefully be mounted in Spring 2005.
In a previous renewable energy project, a wind turbine with an output of 100kW was installed in the Orthodox Academy, which also has functioning middle-size photovoltaic, solar thermal and biomass installations. The income supports the Orthodox Academy, its Centre for Application of Renewable Energy and a small monastery.
See the full article on the "Churches for the
Future- 50 Solar Roofs" project
See the full article on the Academy's Wind Turbine
The Eco-congregation
Programme (Britain and Ireland) has an Award scheme to
encourage and recognise excellence in environmental lifestyle among churches.
The programme also offers resources and support to churches. By November 2004,
45 churches had received an Eco-Congregation Award and almost 300 had registered
with the programme. The
Eco-Congregation Scotland website gives examples of
what local
churches have been doing about environmental issues.
Christian Ecology Link are inviting UK church groups to do ten positive
things for the environment and enter for a CEL Millennium Certificate.
NEW at Nov 04 The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland also has an Environmental System and Diploma for local congregations. The diploma is awarded to parishes which have 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 environmental. By November 2004, more than 100 local congregations had already either got the diploma or were working towards it.
There are many examples of study groups, initiated by lay Christians or church organisations, looking with care and in depth at a particular environmental issue. Here are some examples :
Engineering Genesis is a book produced by a five year working group, coordinated by the Society, Religion and Technology Project, on the Ethics of Genetic Engineering in non-human species. A working group of the UK Methodist church has produced a study pack on genetics issues. The publication of the results of such studies can also stimulate further reflection and action ...
Working groups can lead to informed action and to opportunities for engaging Governments, industry and scientific communities with the environmental, ethical and social implications of their policies, commercial activities and research. One example is the dialogue between local members of the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (associated with Churches Together in Britain & Ireland) and the directors of specific Multinational Corporations on the environmental and human rights record of those Corporations. There is a new openness for such dialogue in Europe and here is an increasing opportunity and role for the church, as organisations like the Society, Religion and Technology Project, the Dutch Church and Society group MCKS in Driebergen, and the Loccum Akademie in Germany have shown over a number of years.
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This page was last revised on 30 November 2004
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