The Archbishop of Canterbury says he’s ‘trying to be disciplined’ when it comes to his domestic recycling efforts. 

Speaking to Sky News, the Most Reverend Justin Welby said he is committed to reducing his own environmental footprint as part of the Church of England’s wider commitment to saving the planet. 

He says his family’s diesel car is "long gone" and he is eating a "bit less meat."

However, the Archbishop, who lives at Lambeth Palace with his wife, Caroline, admitted that his efforts sometimes don’t go far enough : 

“We’re trying to be disciplined about how we behave, like everyone else, and recycle and all that, and get out of bad habits.

“I do get ticked off by my family for automatically putting food in the bin, rather than recycling it. It’s just a small thing, but every day gets better.”

Earlier this month, the Archbishop released an unprecedented joint statement along with Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church, warning that we are at "a critical moment for the planet" as global leaders prepare for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. 

More than one and three quarter billion people are part of the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches and the statement called for nations to “stop competing for resources, and start collaborating” when it comes to climate change. 

Justin Welby told the Telegraph:

“As I know well, changing our habits doesn’t happen overnight - it’s a constant process of improving, and it’s vital we focus on progress rather than perfection. 

“We all - particularly those of us in the Global North - have our part to play in tackling climate change.

“But the really important thing is that we also see global action from governments and businesses, and hold each other accountable with love and compassion - as my family do to me! - when we know it’s possible to do better.”