Climate change, peak oil and the increasing energy costs of running large buildings are requiring churches to give serious attention to reducing energy use, and consider new technologies as well as a host of other environmental issues.  There are a number of well established sources of information for faith communities looking for support in addressing environmental issues

Reports

CTfC has summarised some key issues raised in our Symposium on Low Carbon Projects in Kendal in October 2011.

• Information Pack 1:  why our church communities need to engage with low carbon projects now, and how an Eco-Congregation can provide a model for action.
• Information Pack 2: renewable energy/solar pv in church buildings. Within the Feed in Tariff scheme (FIT), Solar PV is one of the most straightforward of the green technologies available under the scheme, and worth consideration despite potential changes to the rate of the FIT

• ECCR member Jonathan Seagrave report's on his own experience in investing in Solar PV and a detailed analysis of the scheme

Energy Audits and Energy Refurbishment

CAFS (Cumbria Action for Sustainability) works with partners to offer Energy Audits to churches.  An energy audit involves a visit by an assessor who looks at the use of your building, your current utility bills and then recommends how you can improve the energy efficiency of your building.  CAFS has a list of trained energy auditors and audits typically cost between £500-750. CWMET (Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust) is able to help fund an audit but only as part of a wider project; it does not fund audits on their own.  Click here for funding information.

Having considered the recommendations of the audit, you must then decide upon an energy refurbishment programme.  CWMET can help fund the works with a grant of 50% of the capital funding, up to a maximum of £10,000.  Please note that they cannot fund capital works that have already started.  In order to be eligible for CWMET funds, your church must be within 10 miles of a landfill site.  You can find out if there is a landfill site in your area here but it is always a good idea to double check with CWMET to find out if you are eligible.

A number of Cumbrian churches have had energy audits including St John's Keswick.

For further details please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CWMET Tel 01768 242140.

Local Organisations

Churches Together in Cumbria has an environment group and a range of resources to help churches Act on Climate Change.

Faiths4Change can provide  Energy and Environmental Audits to enable faith communities including faith schools, to practically care for their buildings and land and the communities they serve.

Cumbria Action for Sustainability runs Cumbria Green Build Fortnight at the end of August each year.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is the only voluntary organisation devoted solely to the conservation of the wildlife and wildplaces of Cumbria. The Trust stands up for wildlife, creates wildlife havens, and seeks to raise environmental awareness. See Church Grounds

Friends of the Lake District works to protect and enhance the special qualities of the distinctive and inspirational landscapes of the Lake District and Cumbria.

National Information

The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) is a church-based investor coalition working for economic justice, human rights, environmental stewardship, and corporate and investor responsibility.

Eco-Congregation is a tool to help churches begin to address environmental issues in all that they do. It is suitable for all kinds of churches to use. Churches are encouraged to use the resources provided to look at three main areas of church life:

• 'spiritual': worship and teaching (this might include services, preaching, work with children and young people, small groups)
• practical: things to do with buildings, land and church management
• mission: reaching out to the local and/or global community

Seascale Methodist Church is the first church in Cumbria to receive an Eco-congregation award.  You can read more about their experience here >

Operation Noah was founded in 2001 by Christian Ecology Link (CEL) and later became a joint project of CEL and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. It was the first Christian campaign to focus exclusively on the issue of Climate Change and this continues to be its mission.

Shrinking the Footprint is the Church of England's national strategic campaign to enable its members and institutions to address - in faith, practice, and mission - the pressing issue of climate change.  It provides practical advice on how to reduce your church's carbon emmissions and energy bills.

Creation Challenge is the Methodist-URC Environmental Network website.

Christian Ecology Link (CEL) helps members to understand and relate these responsibilities to their faith.  Members can then encourage others in their local church to think seriously about these issues.

English Heritage's HELM website provides information on climage change, sustainable energy and the national policies relating to them.