THREE SIMPLE ACTIONS FOR CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUALS
1. “Green” your church’s energy use
Energy efficiency measures - Energy: Economic, Environmental and Efficiency Improvements
Consider switching your energy supplier -
Ecotricity is currently considered to be the “greenest”
Parish Buying is a group buying scheme for churches
Would investing in an energy audit of your church building be worthwhile? SOENECS Ltd offer an on-site Energy Opportunity Assessment which was designed and tested through the Diocese’s Energy Stewardship Programme. For more information contact the Diocesan Environment Officer, Revd Debbie Beer (07530 039299 / debbie.beer@chichester.anglican.org)
Explore the information on the CofE website -
on Sustainable Church Buildings and the full set of Church Buildings Advice and Guidance pages
The CofE Church Energy Footprint Tool – The Energy Footprint Tool here allows all churches around the country to enter their utility bills and find out their 'carbon footprint'. To do this, someone in your church needs to be registered with the Online Parish Returns System. If you are not sure who this is, please email Sarah.rogers@chichester.anglican.org or telephone 01273 421021
2. Find other green action and lifestyle ideas
Living Lent - Living Lent is about responding to the call to climate action by making significant personal commitments to changing our lifestyles for the climate. The Living in Lent website here still offers great support for commitment and action for lifestyle change – a choice of six options (single use plastics, meat, alternative transport, energy use, local living, buy nothing new).
How big is your environmental footprint? - Our lifestyle choices make up our environmental footprint. The World Wildlife Fund says measuring yours takes less than five minutes and could change the way you live. The charity’s website calculates your footprint score using the answers you provide to their five-minute questionnaire. Then it offers tips to reduce your footprint – and shows how you can share that knowledge with others.
What can I do to stop climate change? (Friends of the Earth) - a range of ideas for action
Reduce your plastic use – the 40 great ideas included in the Church of England's Lent Plastic Challenge is still a worthy resource. Download it in in Word or PDF format.
3. Get your church signed up to Eco Church ! Read how St Mary East Grinstead gained their Silver award here