Now that the Net Zero team has been in place for a few weeks, we would like to share some of what we have been doing so far across the province. Look out for more updates on what we get up to over the coming months.
Iain Johnstone has been actively connecting with Local Authorities, Third Sector Interfaces, as well as Colleges, Universities and the newly formed Climate Hubs across Scotland. He has engaged with various environmental charities, social enterprises, networks, funders, and organisations. These collaborative efforts are crucial for driving our sustainability goals forward and ensuring the success of our projects across Scotland.
Daniel Prince has reached out to various churches within the Moray, Ross & Caithness diocese. He is engaging in meetings with the Synod Clerk for Moray Ross and Caithness and Convenor of the Diocesan Administration Board) and the Dean. Daniel has provided useful content for the Buildings Guidance section of the Net Zero Portal.
Neil Rawlins has been busy connecting with many churches within the Edinburgh diocese, hearing about their plans and offering support. He has recently visited Holy Trinity Melrose, St Andrew’s Kelso, St James the Less Penicuik and St Mungo’s West Linton, St Leonard’s Lasswade and St Mary’s Dalkeith, and St Adrian’s Gullane. Neil has also had online meetings with other churches, including St Anne’s Dunbar and St Ninian’s Comely Bank. Neil has also taken on carbon data footprinting for the SEC.
Jack Nevin has had a busy spring, travelling throughout the Dioceses of Brechin and Aberdeen and Orkney meeting with various charges. He’s been helping St Andrews Brechin with a project for solar panel installation and assisting two charges in Aberdeen get started with the Heat Hack workshop programmes. Jack has recently met with other groups such as the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the Improvement Service, Scottish Investment Bank, Local Energy Scotland and various third sector initiatives. He’s also been producing webinars and training resources supporting knowledge gaps and learning development.
Bethany Nelson has created the Net Zero portal and is using stories to share ideas and empower other churches in their net zero journeys. Bethany has engaged with the St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane Diocesan Environment Group, and is meeting the Diocesan Standing Committee. Recent visits have included the Serenity Garden at Holy Trinity Pitlochry, a Rogation Sunday event at Saint Andrew’s St Andrews, and the Dunblane ECOFest hosted by St Mary’s Dunblane. Bethany led a workshop at the Eco-Congregation Scotland AGM day in Stirling and has been connecting with the Environmental Issues Network and associated groups within Scotland and the UK.
Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator
