05/06/2025
The latest Net Zero Carbon 2030 Impact Report, covering the period from January 2024 to December 2024, highlights stories from parishes who installed solar panels, LED lighting, heat pumps and more - with many saying they have experienced unexpected lower energy bills and wider engagement with their local communities.
Holy Trinity Church in Stroud slashed its heating bill by 80% after removing its gas boiler and switching to an all-electric heating system. Treasurer Jai Carr said: “A Sunday service used to cost us around £122 to heat, it now costs a mere £22! Lowering our carbon emissions is the right thing for the church to do for the environment.”
And a busy church in Kent, St Stephen’s Church in Tonbridge, has saved over £2500 on its energy bills in just four months since switching to LED lighting. Rev Mark Barker said: “The footfall through the building each week and the energy use is quite high. We started to look for ways to reduce both our energy costs and our impact on the environment. We’re hoping we can make a difference as a church and believe we are beginning to do so.”
Young people in Norwich say they are inspired by one of the city’s prominent city-centre churches, St Peter Mancroft, after it revealed plans to install 48 solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and replace its entire interior lighting system. Through this work, the church expects to see an 84% reduction in emissions by saving 52.26 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Teenager Maisie is a member of the church, she said: “I think it’s really amazing that not just our church, but the Church of England as a national institution s putting in the work to become more environmentally friendly.”
The Net Zero Programme was established after General Synod, in July 2020, voted for the whole of the Church of England to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. The programme aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport.
More than £30 million has been allocated so far to a series of grants and projects with a focus on reducing carbon emissions from the Church of England’s highest emitting buildings.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, the Church of England’s lead Bishop for the Environment, said: “This report illustrates the incredible progress being made by all parts of the Church of England to reach the goal set by General Synod to be net zero carbon by 2030.
“We know this is hugely challenging but caring for God’s creation and reducing the impact we have upon our planet are fundamental aspects of our Christian mission. Our work to reverse the damage we have done to the world, through our care, prayer and action, is also a chance to live our faith alongside our neighbours and those we might not usually get the chance to engage with. As such, our activities in this area can become evangelistic opportunities.”
Julian Atkins, Net Zero Programme Director, said: “We’re delighted to publish our second Impact Report which brings together in one publication a snapshot of all the amazing work which is being carried out across the country.
“We recognise that achieving net zero is a complex challenge and many churches are finding it harder to achieve for a whole host of reasons – that’s why we have dedicated grants and support available to help them on this journey. We’re so encouraged by what has been achieved so far and our hope is that readers of this new Impact Report will be encouraged and inspired too.”