Schools offered support to Cut Carbon and Cherish Creation

Creationtide is the annual event in the Church of England’s calendar to celebrate God’s creation and renew a promise to look after our planet.

Many churches hold special services to mark the event, which runs from September 1 to October 4.

In this series we are highlighting some of the ways people in the Diocese of Truro care for creation.

Diocese of Truro’s education team are offering their church schools the chance to sign up for FREE climate action support and advice during Creationtide.

Tom Mainwaring-Evans, Diocese of Truro’s Schools Cut-Carbon Officer, has been arranging for schools to sign up to Let’s Go Zero sessions online during September and October.

The sessions are aimed at senior leaders and facilities and estate staff across schools and multi-academy trusts. All schools are required by the Department of Education to have a Sustainability Lead and Climate Action plan in place this year – and Tom is helping church schools in the diocese to achieve this.

Action plans include decarbonisation, improving biodiversity and climate education.  The free sessions provided by Let’s Go Zero will help support the process of getting a plan in place.

In a presentation about schools’ carbon footprint, Tom reveals more than half annual gas usage in a primary or secondary setting takes place out of school hours.

“Let’s Go Zero will offer impartial advisors to share best practices tailored to the particular needs of the schools they are working with.” – Tom

He said: “I’ve been working with Let’s Go Zero to arrange this and ensure the correct support is available.

“Let’s Go Zero will offer impartial advisors to share best practices tailored to the particular needs of the schools they are working with. The free advice will help find ways of consuming less energy and reducing costs.”

Schools signing up for support from Let’s Go Zero will also be offered the chance to take up follow on audits and half termly check-ins on how the Climate Action Plan is being used, and more.

Lee Moscato, Diocesan Director of Education, added: “We’re delighted to be able to support our schools through this powerful partnership with Let’s Go Zero.  We’re committed to doing all we can to help schools to Speak Up, Cut Carbon and Cherish Creation.”