Green Sanctuary

Photo of protesters at Protesting Spectra Mass Climate Graves in W Roxbury, MA June 2016

Tim DeChristopher, area clergy and the larger resistance against the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline. Photo by Peter Bowden.

Green Sanctuary 2030

According to the 2018 UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, to prevent increasingly catastrophic and irreversible trends, we must reduce global net emissions of carbon dioxide 45% from 2010 levels by 2030.

UUA’s Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice
This “roadmap” provides a supported process for congregational transformation on climate. Established in 1989, this is the seventh iteration of the Green Sanctuary Program. Learn more about Green Sanctuary 2030 vision, mission, and outcomes.

Climate justice calls us to mitigate (reduce) the emissions that cause climate change, adapt to changing climate conditions, and increase resilience to worsening climate impacts through congregational transformation and community engagement. We must balance the urgency of the climate crisis with the need to center justice in our actions. Opening our minds and hearts to learn and collaborate with communities most impacted will ensure a just transition to a clean energy future where all can thrive.

Getting Started or Renewing Your Green Sanctuary Accreditation

Procedure

Each congregation completes a Congregational Profile, performs a self-assessment, writes a plan, and completes projects across: Congregational Transformation, Mitigation, Adaptation/Resilience, and Justice.

Collaboration

Congregations are also encouraged to join other UU initiatives, as well as interfaith organizations. Examples of UU organizations dedicated to environmental / climate justice are:

Logo for Green Sanctuary Congregations