Environmental Policy St Germans Cathedral, Isle of Man

 

Praised be you my Lord with all your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun, who gives the day through whom you give us light …
Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon …

Praised be you my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

St Francis of Assisi.

 

In recognition of the significance of human actions on long-term climate patterns and the breakdown of local and global ecosystems, we recognise our moral duty to speak out, through example and collective public actions, so as to protect the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, and to leave an abundant and thriving planet for future generations.

 

Mission:

Through a process of prayer, planning, mindful action and generosity of spirit, we will work to make the cathedral spaces and events within them, examples of environmental best practice, that demonstrate the desire to tackle local and global inequality and the need for more sustainable lifestyles. 

 

Policy:

The following policy accepts that we are all on a learning curve and that our awareness and level of experience may differ considerably. This general policy is designed to be adaptable to new initiatives and is applicable to visiting events (such as concerts, exhibitions and festivals).

 

We desire to:

  • Promote a culture of environmental awareness, leading by example, whilst avoiding blaming and shaming. 
  • Minimise non-food Waste: re-use (elimination of single use products), re-purpose, and re-cycle wherever possible (in that order)
  • Minimise Food waste: through sharing (for example, food bank and community meals), with any remaining used for best effect (for example, composting or energy generation). 
  • Purchase with positive ethical consideration - environmental sustainability being a key factor (for example, Fairtrade)
  • Invest with positive ethical consideration and di-vest - environmental sustainability being a key factor.
  • Provide habitats for encouraging bio-diversity of the cathedral spaces, and without compromise, 
  • encouraging local and wholesome food growing for use by communal events that engage the local communities.
  • sequesting CO2 through planting schemes.
  • Minimise energy wastage: for example, through re-use, energy-efficient design, sharing such as car-sharing arrangements.
  • Maximise the generation of clean energy using the resources available and without comprise to the other criteria outlined above (e.g. biodiversity).
  • Provide an environment to share best practice, to support and promote local and international projects and individuals that support environmental sustainability and adaptation to climate change. (This includes exhibitions, lectures, workshops, advertising space, accommodation and other hospitality).