New video highlights net zero ambitions across the country

"Yes it's a drop in the ocean, but the ocean is made up of many drops, and whatever we can do to impact and bring about change, we will do."

Small changes can make a big difference! That's the running theme throughout our new video which highlights the Church of England's ambition to be net zero carbon by 2030.

Watch the new video to see how churches, cathedrals and schools are reducing their carbon emissions and find out the inspiration behind their work.

Portsmouth Cathedral, featured in the short film, has reduced its carbon footprint by 40% since 2013. Currently the footprint includes gas and electricity use at its two main buildings, the Cathedral and Cathedral House, that together make up the bulk of energy consumption. Their initial target of a 20% weather-adjusted energy carbon emissions reduction by 2020, against a 2013 base year, was achieved a year early in 2019, that reduction is now close to 40%.

Richard Abraham, Chief Operating Officer at Portsmouth Cathedral, said: "You can break it down into small bits and then tackle each part bit by bit and over time, having set those targets, you can see you are starting to achieve them, and success breeds success, as the saying goes."

Revd Simon Gatenby, from inner city church Brunswick Parish Church in Manchester, says the changes they made to make the church building more environmentally friendly has had a positive impact on the people who use the building: "We have insulated the building which now means it's cheaper to run, which means it's more accessible for the local community and people are warmer."

The video also includes St Denys Church, Southampton, St Lawrence Church, Gloucester, Barnwood CofE Primary School, Gloucester and St Christopher's CofE High School, Accrington.