MILLIONS of kilos are to be distributed in grants to 114 of the very best carbon-emitting churches in England in a push to satisfy the Church’s goal to achieve net-zero by 2030, it was announced on Thursday.
The £5.2 million Demonstrator Churches project from the Church’s Net Zero Programme, which is funded by the Church Commissioners, is to develop green solutions, including solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, secondary glazing, LED lighting, and infrared heating systems. It may even pay for independent technical advice and fund-raising consultancy support.
An extra £1.5 million is to be distributed in grants by the Benefact Trust to implement projects over the subsequent two years.
The aim is to scale back carbon emissions by 6615 tonnes by 2030. The project and grants manager for the Demonstrator Churches project, Abi Hiscock, said: “Ultimately, we wish to reveal that, with the fitting support and infrastructure, churches from diverse settings and facing quite a lot of challenges can reach net zero by 2030.”
The churches might be monitored and used as case studies to support others.
One of the primary grant-recipients is St Peter Mancroft, in Norwich — the biggest of the 31 surviving medieval parish churches in town. The Grade I listed church has received a grant of £50,000, plus co-funding of £36,000 from the Benefact Trust, to switch its interior lighting system and install heat pumps, batteries, and 48 solar panels. The work is predicted to scale back emissions by 84 per cent, saving 52.26 tonnes of CO2 every year.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, who leads on environmental issues, said: “As a serious historic constructing within the centre of Norwich, their work may have widespread interest. Their selection as a national demonstrator project also signifies that their learning might be shared and they’ll have the option to encourage other church communities.”
Church of EnglandThe Vicar of St Peter Mancroft, Canon Edward Carter
Shortly after the Vicar of St Peter Mancroft, Canon Edward Carter, arrived in 2018, one in all the important gas boilers failed. The previous 12 months it was discovered that the lighting needed replacing: the inflexible sodium lights had been burning for many years. Work on installing solar panels on the southern roof began in March (News, 2 February).
Canon Carter said: “It’s so satisfying to see this project finally come to fruition. It is a comprehensive project to a Grade I listed church at a time when the online zero agenda is one in all the Church of England’s top priorities.
“We are delighted to have been identified by the diocese of Norwich as a demonstrator church project. The entire installation process is being filmed to be used as a resource for other parishes who should want to be doing this themselves.”
