Net zero Sunday Service

Parishes are invited to hold a net zero Sunday service between now and the 7th November.

Resources are available to help parishes to measure the carbon footprint of their service, including travel emissions, heating, lighting and electricity.

The Church of England’s General Synod has recently set new targets for all parts of the Church to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030.

With all eyes fixed on the COP26 conference in Glasgow, which is due to begin on 31 October, this is a timely opportunity to focus on what holding a net zero service might entail. 

So why not try a net zero service? You’ll have to work out the carbon footprint for the congregation, including travel emissions, heating and lighting in church, electricity for the band and sound sysetm and whatever you use for refreshments. 

We have a small favour to ask...

We'd love to hear about your net zero service and share your good news with others in the dicoese via the diocesan website, E-Bulletin and social media channels. Please email us your stories and don't forget to include some photographs if possible. E: comms@chester.anglican.org

Co-Chair of the diocesan Environment Forum, the Revd Mike Loach, says: "For a congregation of around 70 in a typical, heated church building, with some travelling by car, the footprint will probably be in the region of one tonne C02. But parishes can find a more accurate figure by using a carbon calculator."

Carbon calculators

To find a more accurate figure for your church and to explore possible offsetting programmes, try one of the following event calculators: 

• My Climate Calculator
• Cliimate Care Calculator

The Revd Mike Loach says: "Let’s do all we can to support the international effort to protect the planet and uphold our duty to 'safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth' - something we all know as the 5th Mark of MIssion."

Resources

The Church of England has a whole host of resources to help churches become net zero. 

More environment stories from around the diocese

	How to become an Eco-Church The Diocese of Chester has registered its intent to work towards Eco-Diocese status with A Rocha, the Christian charity behind the environment scheme. Find out how to become an eco-church.
	Camino to COP walkers come through the diocese Camino to COP is a pilgrimage for climate justice, which began in London and will finish in Glasgow on 31 October. We met the walkers in Hartford as they passed through our diocese.
	Greening Grange Watch the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, "break the ground" of a new community garden at St. Andrew's, Grange. The garden will be planted on the site of the old church hall and will be designed to help increase biodiversity.
	How climate change affects our linked dioceses The Diocese of Chester has strong links with the Diocese of Melanesia, which is in the Solomon Islands. The islands are significantly affected by climate change, a tragic irony not lost on the inhabitants who lead eco-friendly lifestyles.
	Woodchurch receives Green Flag Award Holy Cross Woodchurch Churchyard has achieved the Green Flag Award. The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. Holy Cross Churchyard is one of 2127 award-winning green spaces.