Last Friday, the Provincial Environment Group (PEG) met in gloriously sunny Perth for their strategy day and were joined by the newly complete Provincial Net Zero Team.
It was a day characterised by energy, enthusiasm, and ideas. Meeting in person for the first time, these two groups of experts were given the opportunity to reflect on what is already happening, think innovatively about novel ideas, and most importantly lay out ways ideas could be actioned.
Daniel Prince from the Net Zero Team said, “What struck me was the level of expertise in the room, the friendliness of everyone and the enthusiasm to identify solutions that will take us along the path to Net Zero. The group were clearly open to consider all practical measures along with a bit of blue sky thinking.” Cathy Johnston from PEG echoed these words, commenting that “it was so good to be able to meet in person, and to feel such energy and enthusiasm from everyone.”
During the day, a reusable workshop kit was used to capture ideas and priorities. Bishop Ian ended the day with a reading from the beginning of Revelation 22, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
The Net Zero team will now use the ideas generated and discussed, to help formulate the workplans of each team member. One over-arching theme that arose on the day was improving communication and recognising the varied ways we need to communicate with one another. The Net Zero portal will help with online communication, alongside a focus on planning collaborative in-person events. Sharing ideas, whether virtually or face-to-face, will grow confidence in the exciting potential solutions to the enormous challenge of reaching net zero.
Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator
