Work is being done across the Diocese, to enable us to reach carbon net zero targets and this includes looking at changes that can be made to housing to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.
In 2020, General Synod embarked on an ambitious target for all parts of the Church of England, to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030. This was a clear statement of intent across the church of our determination to safeguard God’s creation. It also touches on 2 marks of mission – tending to human needs and transforming unjust structures, because the climate emergency is a social justice issue, which affects the world’s poorest soonest and most severely. This means that the call to be sustainable is a core part of our Christian faith.
Over the past year the Property Team has been working alongside Laura Donald, the Net Zero Implementation Manager, who works for The Church of England Pensions Board. Her role has been to allocate funding to all diocese across the country to enable them to add energy saving improvements to one house so that it meets the carbon net zero targets.
The property team have identified the house for this project and they are working with contractors to implement air source heating, solar panels, and cavity wall insulation as well as other changes to the property.
At the same time the Diocese has been awarded funding to ensure that all properties have an Energy Performance Certificate Rating (EPC) completed. This will enable the Property Office to hold a baseline figure so that works can be addressed in a priority order, paving the way to meet our net zero carbon objectives.
It will be exciting to share developments as this project develops.