Sustainability

Policy Statement

St. Alban’s Church of Copenhagen recognizes the crucial need to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices. We aim to reduce our ecological footprint and foster a culture of sustainability that inspires both church members and the wider community in order to contribute in safeguarding the earth for future generations.

Commitment

St. Alban's Copenhagen aspires to work towards becoming an Eco Church. To work our way through this goal under our sustainability initiative, we endeavor to explore practical ways to embed the Eco Church framework in five keys, in which St. Alban's functions across all its activities:

• Worship and teaching

• Buildings and energy

• Land and nature

• Community and global engagement

• Lifestyle

Scope

This policy relates to how the services and business operations within our church will be continually reviewed and improved that we may incorporate environmental, social and economic considerations into our practices outside and inside the church and make a positive impact to society.

Responsibility

As we acknowledge our duty to act in a responsible manner, the Council and the church ministries are responsible for the successful implementation of this sustainability policy in both the church as a whole and communities in which they work. The church members’ support in sharing this responsibility in their own actions can potentially galvanize this initiative to mobilize Eco Church activities.

Core Principles

• Worship and teaching: We acknowledge our responsibility to care for God's creation as outlined in Scripture. We will educate our congregation about environmental issues and inspire action through awareness and incorporating sustainability themes into sermons and Sunday school lessons.

• Buildings and energy: We will look into effective usage of building spaces and ways of reducing carbon footprint within our church community. This includes investing in green and energy-efficient solutions such as solar energy, eco-friendly heating systems, etc., and recommending the use of natural light and ventilation wherever possible or according to the season.

• Land and nature: We will take steps to help protect and restore nature around our church land by waste reduction and recycling, promoting green landscaping, creating a bio-diverse garden, or even encouraging the church communities to take part in outdoor activities or events that involve nature.

• Community and global engagement: We will raise awareness of significant sustainability campaigns, collaborate with other organizations to inspire action, and engage people to share their voices through responsible use of the media and advocacy and group discussions.

• Lifestyle: We will be environmentally and ethically mindful of our consumption and purchase of products for church activities (e.g. locally-sourced food for church events, fair trade products for coffee hours, and eco-friendly cleaning supplies). Likewise, we will take into account the environmental impact of the materials used in our office and worship activities such as papers, candles, announcement boards, etc.

Implementation and Monitoring

• Sustainability Committee: Establish a committee to oversee implementation and communicate progress of specific sustainability efforts being or need to be acted upon.

• Regular Reviews: Conduct periodic reviews of the policy and its effectiveness derivable from audit results

• Reporting and transparency: Share progress and developments with the congregation and community.

• Implementation: The Sustainability Team recognizes that there is still work in identifying range of actions subject to church's specific goals and guidelines, and how to implementing them at a gradual pace contingent upon budget provision and available resources.

Stewardship is Worship

As a church, we are committed to following God’s call to be responsible stewards of the earth. Through our Sustainability Policy, we strive to live out this calling in tangible and meaningful ways to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. We believe that by making small changes and being intentional in our choices, we can create a significant impact both within our congregation and in the wider community. We encourage church members to get involved - whether by sharing your ideas or collaborating with the Team whether on creative or practical projects. We need your support. Have any questions or ideas? Reach out to us @ environment@st-albans.dk

Approved by the Church Council on 12^th January 2025