ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Environmental Sustainability program leads sustainability initiatives within Global Ministries, in collaboration with other United Methodist agencies and in support of churches and ministries throughout The United Methodist Church.
Explore the work of environmental sustainability
Global Ministries, along with 10 other United Methodist agencies, plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations and investments and to leverage the gifts of our connection, putting equity and justice at the center as we build a net-zero emission economy by 2050.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers
EarthKeepers training equips United Methodists in the United States to launch bold, antiracist, environmental projects in their communities. Projects include community gardens, energy initiatives, food security projects, reforestation efforts and more.
Resources for local churches
- The Global Ministries Creation Care Network is an online community center for United Methodists interested in creation care ministries to network, gather resources, share ideas and promote events. Join today!
- Energy Efficiency
Global Ministries supports local churches in increasing their energy efficiency through quarterly webinars, peer-to-peer support on the Global Ministries Creation Care Network, and partnership with the EnergyStar for Congregations program. Download the EnergyStar for Congregations Action Workbook.
- Earth Day
Global Ministries encourages congregations to observe Earth Day Sunday during the month of April. Discover Earth Day resources.
Renewable energy
Global Ministries has installed solar arrays at hospitals, a migration center on the U.S.-Mexico border and a theological school, and has provided women’s enterprises, refugee communities and hurricane survivors with renewable energy equipment. The agency is exploring strategies to increase use of renewable energy in disaster response and health care.
Stories of impact
- Global Ministries to commission EarthKeepers for environmental stewardship
Seventeen new Global Ministries EarthKeepers will launch creation care projects in their local communities. - Newly commissioned EarthKeepers heed a call to heal creation
Global Ministries commissions 17 EarthKeepers from nine U.S. states and the Philippines for ministries that care for the Earth. - New EarthKeepers focus on island communities
As the world celebrates Earth Day, participants in the most recent Global Ministries EarthKeepers training consider ways to conserve and protect the Atlantic Ocean’s barrier islands. - Global Ministries to commission EarthKeepers for environmental stewardship
29 new Global Ministries EarthKeepers will launch creation care projects. - 29 EarthKeepers Commissioned for Service
Global Ministries EarthKeepers’ projects in 2022 include plans to increase environmentally sustainable energy projects, decrease waste and plastics, repopulate trees in urban areas, improve access to environmental resources, preserve island habitats, grow gardens in many settings and offer spiritual growth opportunities that integrate the need for human rest and restoration with the environment’s need for care and thoughtful preservation.