The small eco group at St John’s Perth began their journey to net zero by working their way through the Net Zero Toolkit. The Provincial Environment Group encouraged charges to join Eco-Congregation Scotland, so in April 2022, the vestry agreed to do so. They found the Eco-Congregation Environmental check-up areas (worship, education, church property and management, outreach and overseas commitment) mapped many of the activities they were already doing.
In early 2023, their Rector was a little unsure about applying for an Eco-Congregation Bronze award, but agreed they could try… So, they worked their way carefully through the application form which focuses on matters general, spiritual, practical, and global. Two assessors came to interview the eco team. The team’s initial nervousness became delight at the assessors’ positivism, and the suggestion that rather than a bronze award, if they could write an action plan for 2024, they should consider a silver award. Wow – they would go for that! They decided that their Action Plan would be based on the 10 core objectives (petals) listed in the SEC Net Zero Action Plan. After writing the plan, in Advent 2023, they were delighted to receive a silver award.
Part of the Action Plan was to move towards improving energy efficiency and clean energy, through undertaking the HeatHack workshops. The church building had a major reconstruction about ten years ago, when electric heating was installed – reducing their carbon footprint. The HeatHack workshops enabled discussion on various additional aspects of energy efficiency, some of which would be suitable for this church. Following the workshops, St John’s is proposing to install foil reflectors behind radiators and to investigate further the heating controls: quick, inexpensive actions that sometimes cut energy use substantially. The specific hope is to compartmentalise the church, allowing particular areas in use to be heated instead of the entire building.
The vestry responded largely positively to comments from the HeatHack report. The vestry and eco group raised concerns about the financial viability of the ‘big’ projects, such as solar panels, secondary glazing or ceiling fans. Whilst these larger scale plans can feel daunting and expensive, there are many funding options available for churches to access. Please do check our Funding page and contact the Net Zero team for further support and advice.
St John’s reflected that the HeatHack workshops attempt to cover every possible church situation – from a well-heeled city centre charge to a small congregation with a physically large building but few resources. For churches considering running the workshops, please remember that the comprehensive materials can be adapted to suit whatever situation your church is currently facing. Some groups will find aspects of the workshops more helpful than others, so feel free to use the materials flexibly.
Elaine Cameron, St John’s Eco Group convenor
(Edited by Bethany Nelson, Empowerment Coordinator)
