We are working with and supporting organisations and initiatives across the city and beyond such as Transition Chichester, Chichester District and City Councils, Christian Aid, Treezilla, Earth Hour, Toilet Twinning, and the Fairtrade Foundation to raise awareness and play our part in helping local, national and global initiatives to reduce the impact of climate change.
Eco Church
In November 2024 our Cathedral became the fourth Cathedral in England and Wales to achieve Gold Eco Church status, awarded by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK. The award recognises our commitment to “take practical action on caring for God’s earth” and addressing climate change. With over 4,000 Eco Church awards given, the gold level is a particularly prestigious and rare achievement. Our Cathedral is the 60th church in England and Wales to receive this award. To celebrate receiving Eco Church gold and preparing to mark the Cathedral’s 950th anniversary, members of the Cathedral community joined together to plant 950 bulbs by the entrance the Cathedral.
The Cathedral aims to set an example for church sustainability, from organising clothing swaps to installing draught excluders.
At Chichester Cathedral, we are committed to becoming carbon neutral, striving to weave sustainability into every aspect of our life and ministry. This award affirms our ongoing work to protect and preserve the natural world. Together, we aim to steward God’s earth with reverence and responsibility.
The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, Dean of Chichester
Rogation and Harvest are key moments in the Cathedral’s liturgical calendar when we will be focusing worship and supporting events led by the congregation on caring for creation. Orders of Service and printed materials, including leaflets, are printed on recycled paper – a sustainable product made without harsh bleach and harmful optical brightening agents. Where possible we also use vegetable inks too.
In spring 2023 we planted a border for pollinators by the West Door and across the Estate we have implemented wildlife friendly initiatives which you can explore on our sustainability map.
Those travelling to the Cathedral are encouraged to travel by public transport, by foot (including pilgrimages) and by bike. We form part of the Cathedral Cycle Route, linking all 42 Church of England cathedrals in an initiative to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing.
Ecology
The land of the Cathedral’s historic quarter serves many functions. It is the setting for the historic buildings of the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. It is also a burial ground and archaeological site as well as a green space for public use in the heart of the city. Our green spaces are also for nature and in January 2024 the Cathedral published a Land Management Plan as a framework of principles to continually work to improve its green spaces so that people and nature can thrive together. As we develop new projects signage will be placed to share our progress.