What is Net Zero Carbon?
The Church of England defines Net Zero Carbon as the reduction as far as possible of all in-scope carbon emissions. The in-scope emmisions are the oil, gas and electricity we use in our buildings together with petrol and diesel transport. It is the removal of an equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere for the remaining in-scope emissions by use of accredited offsetting schemes.
Picturing a tonne of Carbon
Net Zero Carbon Routemap Scope
Net Zero Milestones for Churches
By the end of 2023
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10%^ of local churches in every diocese to be registered for Eco Church and 5% to be awarded at least a Bronze Eco Church award. - Acheived 32% registered and 19% awarded at least Bronze by December 2023
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Every Diocese to have a 90%+ completion rate for the Energy Foot Print Tool. The Energy Footprint Tool can be accessed through the Parish Returns Portal - Achieved 65% completion rate by December 2023
By the end of 2024
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At the point of contract renewal, switch to 100% green electricity tariff. If you still have gas heating after having reviewed options to replace fossil fuels, switch to a green gas tariff at the point of contract renewal, based on national advice about the criteria to apply. Timing of this milestone to be kept under review, depending on stabilisation of the energy markets and / or government action.
By the end of 2025
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All churches to have energy-efficient lighting installed throughout, with timers and light and motion sensors where appropriate.
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No new oil boilers installed in churches after this date, subject to government action to connect rural communities to the grid.
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For those churches that are tourist destinations, review opportunities to install electric charging for coaches.
By the end of 2026
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40% of local churches in every diocese to be registered with Eco Church, 30% of these to have an award and at least a third of these to be awarded Silver Eco Church award or higher (at Jan 2024 31% of churches registered of which 34% have secured awards, 4% of them Silver or higher).
By the end of 2027
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From 2022, the top 20% of energy-consuming churches in each diocese to begin to develop a Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, to be finalised no later than 2027. These plans should include, as a minimum: low-carbon heating options to replace fossil-fuel heating at end-of-life, such as heat pumps or far infra-red heating panels; a Heating Resilience Plan which should consider how to manage heat should the existing system fail, to avoid needing a quick like-for-like fossil-fuel replacement
By the end of 2030
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Complete all actions in your Net Zero Carbon Action Plan