The Archbishop of Canterbury faces criticism for frequent air travel amid environmental advocacy

Archbishop Justin Welby has recently faced criticism for his extensive travel, earning the nickname “Archbishop Airmiles” due to his frequent international flights, while urging his congregations to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

As he prepares for upcoming trips to Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama and Costa Rica, having just returned from Zanzibar, his travel activities have sparked a debate among Church of England officials and parishioners.

The purpose of Welby’s travels

Daily Mail analysis reveals that by the end of next month, Archbishop Welby will have traveled at least 48,000 miles in ten trips since last September.

These trips, which include destinations such as the Middle East, New York, Rome and the Caucasus, have significantly increased his carbon footprint, with an estimated addition of at least 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

This figure does not take into account the emissions generated by its traveling entourage, suggesting that the real environmental impact could be even higher.

Contradictions with the Church’s Net Zero Strategy

The Church of England has set an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, bringing the deadline forward from the original target of 2045. To meet this target, parishes have been encouraged to replace gas and oil boilers with heat pumps and panels solar and to withdraw from fossil fuels.

Critics argue that Archbishop Welby’s frequent flights are incompatible with this strategy, undermining the Church’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Criticism from within the Church

A senior church official has expressed frustration with Archbishop Welby’s travel schedule, citing challenges facing his own diocese, including a significant drop in attendance, particularly among young people.

“It seems extraordinary that the archbishop chooses to spend so much time away when there are so many problems at home,” the official said.

Reverend Marcus Walker, chairman of the Save Our Parish Network, echoed those concerns, questioning the need for some of Welby’s trips.

“If we compromise on the Archbishop’s plane travel, maybe we should compromise on parishes struggling to replace their boilers?” he suggested.

Walker acknowledged the importance of Welby’s visit to Armenia to support oppressed Christians, but questioned whether his extensive travel was more typical of an NGO leader than the head of the Church.

Defense from Lambeth Palace

Despite the criticism, Lambeth Palace has strongly defended Archbishop Welby’s trip, arguing that his efforts to tackle climate change and support Christians around the world are not mutually exclusive.

A source close to Lambeth Palace explained: “Nobody wants a global church leader sitting behind a desk at Lambeth Palace pushing paper – the job is about being with people.”

Lambeth Palace also pointed out that Archbishop Welby normally flies economy class, except on long-haul flights.

They emphasized his duty to visit Anglicans in regions of great suffering, including Gaza, the West Bank, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Impact on church resources

The Church of England’s push towards net zero has put further pressure on parishes already dealing with declining attendance and financial pressures.

The recent announcement of a £100 million slavery reparations fund, with calls for it to be increased to £1 billion, has further complicated the Church’s financial situation.

In response to these challenges, some churches have sought innovative, albeit controversial, methods of generating income, such as hosting events such as the ‘Rave in the Nave’ at Canterbury Cathedral.

Conclusion

Criticism of Archbishop Welby highlights the tension between his role as global church leader and the Church of England’s environmental commitments.

While his extensive travel aims to support Anglicans around the world, it also raises questions about the coherence of his advocacy for the environment.

As the Church strives to achieve its ambitious net zero goals, balancing these priorities will be crucial to maintaining credibility and effectiveness.

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn

advertisement