The Telegraph reported that the Church of England intends to debate how to reduce the carbon footprint of church flowers and floral displays at the General Synod when it meets in London next month.
Proposals include a ban on foreign blooms, as well as ending the use of floral foam which contains microplastics. In addition, the motion by the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev Martin Gorick, encourages churches to source locally by working with local growers and farmers’ markets, so as to reduce carbon footprint.
The bishop, who praised the beauty of floral arrangements in church, encouraged churches to look at their environmental impact: “… behind their elegance lies an often-overlooked reality. Traditional floristry can carry significant environmental costs: imported blooms, single-use plastics, chemical preservatives and non-compostable floral foam all contribute to waste and carbon emissions”.
He added: “For churches, this means rethinking how flowers are sourced, arranged and disposed of. Instead of relying on flowers flown in from thousands of miles away, sustainable practices prioritise locally grown, seasonal blooms”.
The motion also offers practical tips for churches, including repurposing floral arrangements from Sunday services for midweek gatherings or delivering them to care homes and hospitals.
Read the article in The Telegraph here.