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.Logo reads 'Creation Care' and has a green, blue and red strip after the word 'care'.

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.

Clergy homes in the diocese are continuing to be upgraded to make them more environmentally friendly.

Work has been progressing to upgrade all of the Diocese of Truro properties to an EPC rating of A, the top eco rating, or  a B rating from previous lower ratings. This is part of ambitious plans to reach carbon net zero by 2030.

Just over 12 months ago diocese officials were working towards upgrading 20 homes – this Creationtide it has been revealed there are now 38 A or B EPC rated homes, which is up from the previous number of 11 A or B homes.  This means the carbon emissions from clergy homes has reduced by 269.4 tonnes per year which is equivalent to approximately 2m kilometres of car CO2 emissions.

While some of the improvements have come about through house sales and purchases, most of the changes have involved retro-fitting houses – which is not a cheap process, and the diocese has allocated reserves to improve its housing stock.

Revd Adam Thomas, from St Buryan, moved into his upgraded EPC home at the end of February. As well as new windows and doors, solar panels and roof and wall insulation, he has sun pipes bringing natural light to darker rooms, a heat pump and a charger for his electric car.

He says the adaptions have made a big difference financially, reducing fuel costs, but also created conversations about his faith.Image shows someone stood next to a heat pump by a white wall and patio.

He said: “As a church we need to say we are stewards of the planet. If you believe God created everything, then you need to look after it.

“Each of us can do our bit to make the world better. Our children demand that – it is one area in schools I go into that all children agree on.

“It is amazing, incredible to live in this home. I am really grateful to the diocese’s investment.

“That the diocese is willing to invest not just in the clergy, but the planet, is worth noting.”

“That the diocese is willing to invest not just in the clergy, but the planet, is worth noting.” – Revd Adam Thomas

Christine Salaman, who also lives in a clergy home with similar adaptions, said: “I am privileged to live in one of the newly upgraded clergy eco-homes.

“It is amazing to be a part of the diocesan vision to cut carbon in caring for creation. With our solar panels and air source heat pump, we have been totally carbon neutral over the summer months and have even been feeding extra power back to the grid.”

“It is amazing to be a part of the diocesan vision to cut carbon in caring for creation.” Christine Salaman.

Kate Cortez, Head of Operations & Governance (Deputy Diocesan Secretary), said: “Our Church’s Fifth Mark of Mission is ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ and in this diocese we have committed in our environment strategy to Cherish Creation, Cut Carbon and Speak Up. By investing in our clergy housing to make it warmer and more energy efficient we not only value our clergy but have a direct impact on a key source of carbon emissions that we have responsibility for.

“Through our strategy and this work, in leading by example, we can grow the Church while reducing our environmental footprint – creation care is a missional message that reaches and engages new people, particularly the young.”