The Diocese of Peterborough has been allocated a modest sum of money to help parishes wishing to carry out small-scale, carbon reducing works. The Quick Wins Grant is part of the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon programme.
In 2020, General Synod embarked on an ambitious target for all parts of the Church of England, including our schools, 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 – tend to human needs and transform 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.
St Columba’s Church in Corby, a 1950s building, has received Quick Wins funding to help fit thermal insulation in their roof space, while St Mary’s Church in Peterborough, who hold an A Rocha UK Silver Eco Church award, have used Quick Wins funding to up upgrade their lightbulbs to LED.
As the first step to making a building more energy efficient is to ensure it is in good repair, some minor repairs such as attention to leaking roofs, gutters or window glazing repairs may also be eligible. Grant awards are subject to assessment but may be up to £3-£5,000.
We would first encourage you to complete your Energy Footprint Tool if you haven’t already done so, and look at the Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon checklist.
For more information or to discuss your project, please contact Jon Breckon, Historic Churches Support Officer, at jon.breckon@peterborough-diocese.org.uk, or 07732 894457.