Church of England expands net zero initiatives for local parishes

The Church of England is reporting a significant increase in parishes transitioning away from oil and gas heating systems. This shift is driven by a combination of rising energy costs and the denomination's formal commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Since 2023, the Church has distributed nearly £6 million in grants to support over 1,000 energy-efficiency projects across the country.

A key component of these efforts is the "Give to Go Green" match funding scheme. Following a successful pilot that raised £938,000 across 127 churches, the program is now being expanded to all 42 dioceses. Local initiatives, such as the installation of solar panels and air source heat pumps at St Paul’s Church in Sunderland, serve as examples of the transition. Church leaders note that replacing aging, unreliable oil boilers with modern heating solutions is essential for both environmental stewardship and the long-term sustainability of parish facilities.