As part of the follow-up in 2024, the report ‘Responding to our Carbon Footprint’ prompts us, and all those working with us, to reduce emissions by addressing our lifestyle choices. It is part of our journey to reach Net Zero carbon related emissions by 2050, and more urgently to halve those emissions by 2030.
Our larger operations have had major capital expenditure identified through carbon audits. This report, however, after an introduction to carbon auditing, then gives a review of what we can address on an individual and community basis. Following up Geoff te Braake’s work on ‘Living Ecological Conversion’, the report prompts us to review general considerations such as control of heating, water use, modes of transport, purchasing patterns and reducing waste; these in the context of our communities and works. As with our conversion to a new culture, this is an on-going process!
“… every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people. Yet what is important is something less quantitative: the need to realize that there are no lasting changes without cultural changes, without a maturing of lifestyles and convictions within societies, and there are no cultural changes without personal changes.” (Pope Francis, Laudato Deum. 4 October 2023).
Cover image: St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre, set in the beautiful natural environment of North Wales.
You can read the report 'Responding to our Carbon Footprint' by clicking on the link below.
