Cathedral achieves Silver Eco Church Award

Norwich Cathedral has received a special award for its commitment to protecting the planet and investing in a sustainable future.

The Cathedral has achieved the Silver Eco Church Award in A Rocha UK’s national award scheme that aims to help churches celebrate what they are doing to care for the environment.

The Revd Canon Andy Bryant, Norwich Cathedral’s Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care, who led the Cathedral’s work to achieve the award, said: “Norwich Cathedral is committed to playing its part in addressing the issues of climate change and to learn to tread more gently on this beautiful but fragile planet. Towards this we are pleased to announce that we have achieved our Silver Eco Church Award.

“As part of our ongoing journey to a greener future we have had a survey undertaken of the plant life in The Close which included the discovery of Bee Orchids. We have also increased the number of trees in The Close by 15%.

"Within the Cathedral, by the use of careful energy efficient methods, we have achieved a significant drop in our overall energy consumption of both electricity and gas.

"We continue to work towards the increasing energy efficiency of our buildings and to enhance the bio-diversity within our grounds. The work is ongoing but we are pleased that this award recognises the positive start we have made.”

There are currently about 400 trees in the Cathedral Close, including more than 50 trees planted in the last year. Among the new trees are 14 Sakura cherry trees which were gifted to the Cathedral by Japan via the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures which is based in the Cathedral Close.

For more information about A Rocha UK’s Eco Church awards visit https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/

Pictured is the Dean of Norwich planting trees in the Deanery garden.

Picture: Bill Smith