Who are they and why are they the target of the Rewild the Church campaign?

The Church of England, often viewed as a gentle symbol of English tradition and spirituality, is also one of the largest landowners in the UK. The Church of England as an institution owns around 200,000 acres of land, and over 105,000 acres of that is owned by the Church Commissioners, making them the 13th largest landowner in the UK. 

While this includes the steepled buildings and overgrown cemeteries which immediately spring to mind, the majority of this land is not used directly by clergy or congregations – instead it’s leased commercially. Overseeing this vast patchwork of plots are the Church Commissioners, the body responsible for managing the Church’s assets, which are overall (including all funds, property portfolio and income generated) valued at £2 billion.

As we seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change, the Church Commissioners’ decisions regarding their vast landholdings are more crucial than ever—especially given a recent Natural England report labelling the UK as “one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.” This presents the Church with a significant opportunity, and arguably a moral obligation, to take the lead in reversing the UK’s catastrophic loss of biodiversity and enhancing the nation’s resilience to global heating.

In this article we’ll look into who this often overlooked organisation are, and why we’re asking them to rewild 30% of their land.  

Who Are the Church Commissioners?

The Church Commissioners were established in 1948, merging the Ecclesiastical Commissioners (dating back to 1836) and Queen Anne’s Bounty (a fund for the relief of poor clergy, created in 1704). The Church Commissioners consist of 33 members, with 27 serving on the board of governors, the primary policy-making entity. The remaining 6 are government ministers or officers of state. Board members are selected either through election by the Church of England’s General Synod or appointed by the archbishops or the Crown. The board includes all commissioners except the First Lord of the Treasury, the Lord President of the Council, the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Lord Speaker.

They are responsible for supporting the Church of England’s work across the country by managing its investments and ensuring a steady flow of income for clergy pensions, church repairs, and community projects. 

They also have specific administrative tasks like managing the production of Crockford’s Clerical Directory (a who’s who of Anglican clergy across the UK) and the Lambeth Palace Library.

The Land They Own

The Church Commissioners’ land holdings are vast and varied, covering rural estates, urban developments, commercial properties, and even agricultural land. They own around 105,000 acres across the UK, including prime real estate in London and significant holdings in rural areas. Some of their well-known assets include the Hyde Park Estate in London, a 10% stake in the Gateshead MetroCentre shopping centre, and agricultural land in counties such as Herefordshire and Cheshire. ​​Over the centuries, it has received extensive land donations and bequests, which formed the foundation of its estates. 

A Modern Approach to Stewardship

While the Church Commissioners have historical roots, their approach to managing these lands is modern and business-focused. As the main financier for the Church, its core function is to ensure the Church’s assets are put to good use and turn a profit. The website boasts an average of 10% year on year return over the last 30 years period. However, this is closely directed by Christian moral teaching. Their website lists ‘respect for planet’ and ‘respect for people’ as the pillars of their responsible investment strategy, which translates into excluding unethical investments like those in arms or some fossil fuels and direct engagement with companies to encourage better ESG practices. For instance in 2020 they lead a campaign to change the board of ExxonMobil when it was apparent the existing board wasn’t taking energy transition commitments seriously. 

They’ve also set climate targets for the church including:

• A carbon reduction target of -25% by 2025, based on a 2019 baseline.
• Net-zero carbon emissions Church includes our day-to-day operational activities by 2030.
• Net-zero investment portfolio by 2050. 

Why Rewild the Church?

The Church Commissioners’ land ownership is a powerful, yet often under-the-radar, force in the UK’s real estate landscape. Their ability to influence land use, housing, and development means they play a crucial role in shaping the future of our country. 

Given they’ve already set ambitious climate targets, we want to encourage them to take action to rewild much of the unproductive land which they own, which could be returned to nature, sequestering carbon and boosting biodiversity. Rewilding 30% of their land by 2023 (the government’s goal) would be both achievable and make a meaningful difference to nature in the UK.