Free energy audit and action plans are available to 600 of the highest energy use churches across the country (with partially funded audits available for up to 1000 further eligible churches in 2025.) 

The energy audit and action plans, delivered by the Church of England’s procurement service Parish Buying, will identify the changes needed to reduce carbon emissions and small funds will be available to help kickstart some immediate actions.  

Funding and technical support will be available for up to 70 churches across the country, to help create a network of churches which demonstrate good net zero carbon practice for churches of different types. 

Churches shortlisted by their dioceses can apply for two grants: 

• either a Stage 1 Preparatory grant towards the professional support they need to progress an already fairly well-developed project, plus hands-on fundraising support from specialists Action Planning, 
• or a Stage 2 Capital grant for up to 25 per cent of the costs of a well-developed project for which they already have any required permissions and have raised 50 per cent of the funding. 

Small grants will be available to help churches across the country progress with small scale decarbonisation projects. Grants could help churches to buy new LED lighting, pew heaters, insulation or update their electric supply.  

Money has been allocated to fund 8-12 pilot and evaluation projects per year, with the aim of supporting technical, innovative projects. Churches or schools who want to trial new technology to help reduce carbon emissions or explore new ways to use legislative powers to further net zero plans.  

Pilot match-funding campaigns will be run in up to  seven dioceses in 2024 to support small to medium carbon reduction projects.  

Churches will run short fundraising campaigns through the digital platform Give A Little to raise money for local carbon reducing projects. The amount they raise will be matched by the Net Zero Carbon Programme.  

Extensive survey work has been carried out on selected Church of England properties across the country which represent various housing types and uses.  

Birmingham, Exeter, Portsmouth and Sheffield dioceses have worked with the Pensions Board on these surveys. Surveys to a selection of See Houses will also be carried out.  

There is also funding allocated for decarbonisation projects in clergy housing. Look out for more information in 2024.  

All cathedrals in the country which have an A Rocha Eco Church bronze award and a Champion for decarbonisation will have funds to carry out technical surveys and concept design reports.