2 mins
Steps to make your Church Greener: follow the Pathway to Net Zero.
In this month’s update, Clare Flenley, Public Life and Social Justice Programme Officer within the Faith Action team, outlines the importance of Net Zero.
A NEW online resource from The Church of Scotland’s Faith Action Programme aims to help congregations make their church more environmentally friendly and tackle climate change step by step.
If you imagine this resource as a pathway made up of stepping stones, any stone is a good one to start on, and any direction is a good one to take. We hope you will find the pathway a useful tool for your congregation, and it would be great if you could share your progress with us.
Climate change can be scary. Extreme weather is happening more often and closer to home, and many of us worry about how we, as a community, a country and a world can stop creating the greenhouse gases that cause the problems. There are already many things we can do to help and as we focus on the choices and actions that are within our control, a pathway to change becomes clearer.
First steps to cut energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings: Have you signed up to the General Trustees’ 100% renewable electricity tariff? Do you have LEDs where possible? Check heating controls and time-tables to maximise comfort and minimise bills. Building maintenance may seem obvious, but check out the General Trustees checklist and work through it: www. churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/buildings.
Bigger steps for Buildings: Have you considered wall and roof insulation, can you create a small, easier to heat space, or a porch to keep drafts out for example? For more information and advice from the GTs go to www. churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/buildings.
Food: Did you know around a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from food production? For practical ideas on food storage and waste prevention to composting raw left-overs and signing up to save good food from going to waste, visit: www. churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/food
For help in reducing your church’s greenhouse gas emissions and saving money and energy take a look at www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero
“I’m pleased the Kirk is able to provide a source of guidance to help us all play our part in living more simply and tackling the climate and nature emergencies. These are some ways we show our love for the whole web of life of God’s creation.”
Paper and packaging: How much paper do you use in church? Paper production is energy intensive and requires trees to be cut down. How can you reuse, recycle or avoid using paper?, For some ideas for churches visit: www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/paperand-stationary
Greener travel: Did you know that around one-third of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by transport? We all need to travel, but are there ways to reduce the energy used in trips for church business and people’s journeys to church? Ways to encourage walking, cycling, and more planet friendly travel are at www. churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/travel
Pensions and Investments: Is your pension contributing to climate change? It is not always obvious where your pension plan or savings are invested. How we save for our futures can make a difference to the planet. More information can help us make informed choices. Look at www. churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/achieving-net-zero/finance-andpensions¤
For more information and to tell us your progress please contact: cflenley@churchofscotland.org.uk
This article appears in the February 2024 Issue of Life and Work
If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive
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This article appears in the February 2024 Issue of Life and Work