We are delighted to announce that Adam Clarke has joined the diocese as Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager and will be operating across the dioceses of Leicester and Peterborough.
As former Deputy City Mayor and portfolio holder for climate, economy and culture on Leicester City Council, Adam declared Leicester’s climate emergency in 2019 and went on to spearhead a range of transformative carbon cutting projects across the city.
Adam will be working at the heart of the net zero mission for the two dioceses, coordinating and driving forward initiatives aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
He will inspire greater action at diocesan level, in our parishes and church schools, and contribute to the wider sustainability goals of the Diocesan Board of Finance.
The Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager is a two-year, fixed-term, joint appointment with the Diocese of Peterborough and has been fully funded from the national church’s Net Zero Carbon Diocesan Capacity-building Fund.
The creation of this role was approved by Bishop’s Council in April 2024, and is in line with Diocesan Synod’s approval in March 2024 to adopt the Net Zero Carbon Action Plan.
The Programme Manager’s role is also part of the way in which our diocese will support parishes in becoming Eco Communities – one of our five strategic priorities.
Adam’s job will be to turn the Net Zero Carbon Action Plan into practical steps, supporting and guiding local churches to understand how they can reduce their carbon emissions.
Working towards our Eco-Communities strategic priority is both part of our Everyday Faith as Christians (caring for creation being the first mandate given to humanity), how we show love to our neighbours (in seeking to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis) and missionally important, as we seek to reach and serve those within our communities who are increasingly interested in environmental issues and a Christian response to them.
Adam says: “As Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager, I will be leading on identifying solutions, promoting good practice and encouraging action that will reduce the carbon footprint of these two dioceses to net zero, covering all of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and much of Peterborough. I will also be work closely with the Church of England nationally, on the delivery of the net zero carbon routemap.
“The diocese leads by example and we are in a position to support our church communities not only to work to reduce the carbon footprint of their churches and church buildings, but to also work with the wider community to deliver on what is the biggest global challenge we face.”
Adam’s portfolio includes experience of working with heritage buildings and he is looking forward to the challenges this new chapter brings.
“When I gave up my role as deputy city mayor, I started thinking about how I needed a mission, and there really is a sense of mission in this work for me,” he explains. “I want to take the knowledge I’ve built up in the last nine years into this new realm and make a genuine impact.
“The interesting challenge the diocese faces around decarbonising its buildings – many of which are heritage assets - has tensions that are intellectually stimulating and exciting, and working with people to overcome that challenge is something I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting people across the city and county, supporting their work on this agenda, while understanding the wider work of our parishes and how I can fit in.”
There are many ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint and become more climate ready as a diocese, and lots of benefits to be had in the process. Adam says that relatively simple things such as changing your church lighting to LED reduces your carbon footprint and that creating a rainwater garden can help to reduce the increased risk of flooding, at the same time reducing costs and improving the aesthetic of your church.
“Taking climate action can reduce our energy bills and make our buildings more resilient, saving money that can be used to support the churches that we care for, preserving God’s creation, protecting the world for the future and making it a better place to be now,” he explains.
Joining the Eco Church award scheme is also another simple, impactful way churches can make a difference environmentally, as well as filling out the energy footprint tool which can be found in the online parish returns system.
Jonathan Kerry, Chief Executive and Diocesan Secretary, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have recruited someone with Adam’s track record and passion into this role. I am delighted that he has joined us and that he will be helping us face the challenge of the climate emergency.
“As a diocese, I am confident that we can make huge progress towards net zero and that many steps on that journey are well within reach. We are enormously grateful that the Church of England has made funding available to help us move forward.”