The diocesan Net Zero team has today announced the first 10 parishes to join its pioneers programme – a two-year collaboration between the churches and the diocese to accelerate the participating parishes towards complete decarbonisation.
Steve Collins, Net Zero Programme Manager, hailed this step on the route to the ambitious 2030 target:
“These pioneers will lead the way towards Net Zero, showing that it is practical, affordable and of long-term benefit to the churches involved, helping bring down utility bills and creating warmer, brighter churches to welcome our communities.
“Where the pioneers go, we hope others will follow as we seek to respond to God’s call to restore creation and avert climate catastrophe.”
One of the new pioneers is St John’s Egham, recent gold Eco Church award recipients. Chris Gray, a member of the Eco Team, commented, “Installing a heat pump in our church has been a key part of our Eco Church journey, and was done in close collaboration with the diocesan team. We are thrilled to be one of the first pioneers and look forward to completing the journey we have begun with support from this initiative.”
Applications to join the pioneers programme are still open; email Net Zero Officer Martin Carr for more information.
The first 10 pioneers are:
- St John’s, Egham
- St Martin’s, Epsom
- St Alban’s, Hindhead
- St Peter’s, Chertsey
- St Mary’s, Ewell
- Christ Church, Guildford
- St Paul’s, Egham Hythe
- St Andrew’s, Goldsworth Park
- St Mary’s, Oatlands
- Emmanuel Stoughton with St Francis and St Clare