Climate , Eco Church , News

MK Eco Church Network – April 2026 Update

Dear MK Eco Church Network friends,

I hope this April Update find you well.

I’d like to highlight the MK Environmental Hustings that are being organised by the MK Climate Action Network and the Open University on Thursday 23 April which will be held in the Berrill Theatre at the OU. I’ve been helping MKCAN to organise this event and we’re pleased to have senior local representatives of 4 of the 5 main political parties. You can attend the hustings either in person or online. Questions need to be submitted in advance and can be done so when you register using the Eventbrite link. The Environmental Priorities for MK collected from MKCAN members in preparation for the hustings are below. Don’t forget to vote in the local elections on 7 May!

MKCAN Enviornmental Priorities April 2026Download

I’ve been asked by several people if there will be a showing of the People’s National Emergency Briefing film in Milton Keynes. I’ve been working with MKCAN and we’ve almost secured the agreement of the Sky Cinema at the MK Gallery to show the film early in June, after the local elections. We are hoping that this will be the first of a regular series of films related to climate and environmental issues, that will be shown at the Sky Cinema. I’ll get back to you as soon as I have a definite date for showing the NEB film, which will be followed by a panel discussion.

Please also consider signing the letter that has been produced by the Coalition of Faiths for a Fossil Free Future, which has widespread global support of many faith leaders and is being published in the run up to the First ‘Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels’ being held in Santa Marta, Colombia between 24-29 April 2026, which is working to enact a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Thanks and best wishes,

Stuart Kean

MK Eco Church Network Convenor

email: mkecnetwork@ctmk.church

MK Eco Church Network – April 2026 Update

Events

    • Milton Keynes Environmental Hustings, Thursday 23 April at 17.15 to 18.30 at the Berrill Theatre, Open University. Come along to Milton Keynes’ Environmental Hustings being organised by MKCAN and the OU on 23 April (in person or online) and see if would-be local politicians and parties share your values. Panel attendance has so far been confirmed by senior MK representatives from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Conservative Party and the Green Party. Free tickets available on Eventbrite where you can also submit questions for the panel in advance. The event is hosted at the Open University and will be chaired by Professor Stephen Peake, Professor of Climate Change and Energy at the OU. The hustings is from 17.15 to 18.30 and there is an opportunity to meet with attendees afterwards over refreshments. Please register using this Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/earth-week-milton-keynes…
    • Milton Keynes Parks Trust
      • Friday 24 April at 11am – Community Litter Pick at Broughton Brook
      • Sunday 26 April at 2pm – Great Linford Manor Park
      • Saturday 9 May at – 11am   Walking Festival: Community Litter Pick at Linford Wood

    For details:  https://www.theparkstrust.com/events/?Event+Category=Volunteering

    Advocacy Opportunity

    • Please sign the Coalition of Faiths for a Fossil Free Future Call to Action: The recently formed Coalition comprises many of the world’s leading faiths, including in the UK the CofE, Church of Scotland, the URC, Quakers, CAFOD, Tearfund, Green Christian and Operation Noah etc. The Coalition has 3 main objectives, relating to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty:

    i)                 End all new fossil fuel development immediately

    ii)               Phase out existing fossil fuel production equitably, with wealthy countries leading

    iii)              Implement a just transition to renewable energy for all, prioritizing affected workers and communities

    The Coalition is inviting all religious leaders and individuals of faith to sign a letter calling on world leaders to enact a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. To find out more about the Coalition and to sign the letter please go to: https://faithsforafossilfreefuture.org/

    This Call to Action by the Coalition comes a few days before the Governments of Colombia and the Netherlands will be convening the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia between 24-29 April 2026. For more information about the Treaty and the conference, please check out: https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/

    Resources

    • Celebrating your Eco Church journey: In this 10th anniversary year A Rocha has created a new resource, ‘Celebrating your Eco Church Journey, with ideas and inspiration for recognising milestones – whether that’s ten years of Eco Church or achieving a bronze, silver or gold award, for example. You could host a special service, an outdoor worship gathering, a Fairtrade coffee morning, a nature walk or an art exhibition, or plant a tree or hedge! Read the resource for inspiration and let us know if you plan to do something: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Celebrating-your-Eco-Church-journey-FINAL.pdf
    • What’s so great about litter picking? A Rocha has produced a new resource on litter picking as the Eco Church survey encourages churches to take part in community litter picks, beach cleans, or river cleans. But what’s so great about litter picking? Take a look: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Land-and-Nature-Litter-picking.pdf
    • Hymns about creation and care for creation. I’ve recently come across this useful resource by Liturgytools.net about care of creation, conservation of the earth and Season of Creation: https://www.liturgytools.net/2015/08/hymns-care-of-creation-world-day-of-prayer-conservation-ecology-earth-stewardship.html
    • A Rocha quarterly prayer guide for April – June: Every three months, A Rocha produces a short paragraph giving prayer points for each week covering all the areas of their work. https://arocha.org.uk/get-involved/pray/
    • The C of E Environmental Programmes is asking: “Has your church completed their Energy Footprint Tool?” Completing the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is an unseen but essential part of caring for creation. When you enter your church’s energy bills, the data allows us to build a clearer picture of the Church of England’s carbon use and helps us to act more strategically. It takes less than an hour to complete and we have produced a handy video walking you through it every step of the way. All you need is access to the energy bills for your church. Find out more and complete the EFT.
    • New video series created by the C of E Environmental Programme explains the journey to net zero carbon for churches. The journey to net zero carbon will be different for every church, and for most churches it will take several steps to reach. The Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme has developed a really helpful Practical Path to Net Zero to help churches navigate this journey. For many churches, reaching net zero carbon will mean switching away from fossil fuel-based heating and installing new electrical heating technologies. For example, you might be exploring pew heaters, infrared heaters, heated seat cushions or even air source heat pumps. A new series of videos has been created where experts in net zero carbon technologies, church insurance, and conservation talk you through it all. Watch the videos.

      News and information

      Warm Homes Plan: find out how the UK Government’s biggest home upgrade programme (£15 billion) could cut your energy bills. Check out the Energy Saving Trust website: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/government-and-public-sector/the-warm-homes-plan/

      The Iran war and the resulting spike in global fossil fuel prices. Operation Noah points out that proponents of volatile, planet-heating fossil fuels often use inaccurate information to make their arguments, or, in some cases, may even have financial interests in fossil fuels – two reasons we recently sent an open letter from 100+ Christian leaders to the part-owner of GB News.  Recent Carbon Brief analysis shows UK gas production in the North Sea will drop 99% by 2050 compared to 2025 levels, and that issuing new licences would only impact this figure slightly (leading to a 97% drop). North Sea oil production is also in long-term decline. 

      Reaching net zero emissions would cost £4bn a year according to the government’s climate advisors, or nearly £100bn by 2050 – an amount roughly equivalent to the energy-related costs of the fossil fuel shocks that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The figures contradict claims made by some right-wing groups that net zero would cost a staggering £9tn – estimates which have also failed to account for the cost of paying for the fossil fuels that would be needed if the UK failed to decarbonise. Read more. 

      Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England as part of updated planning requirements published by the government, with, from 2028, no new homes on the gas network. It also said plug-in panels that homeowners can install on balconies would be available in supermarkets in the coming months. Read more.

      The Church of England Pensions Board will vote against the reappointment of directors at banks which have materially backtracked on their climate commitments. The Pensions Board intends to vote against relevant items at the AGMs of NatWest, Santander and HSBC, and will monitor other banks’ reporting as proxy season continues. Read more. 

        Share this content: