Net Zero Carbon

Our Church of England schools account for around half of our total overall diocesan carbon emissions and so are a major focus of our NZC work.

• With funds from the UK Government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), we are undertaking major decarbonization projects in eleven of our schools
• Exploring additional funding to deliver further work to reduce the carbon footprint of VA schools
• Exploring funding options for all Multi-Academy Trusts, including The Good Shepherd Trust.

1. During vacancies, we will consider and undertake, as standard where possible, the following maintenance/upgrading as standard:    
   a. Ensure all loft insulation is 400mm thick
   b. Lag unlagged pipes
   c. Install TVRs on radiators
   d. Fit LED bulbs (with upgraded fittings) where not already installed
   e. Fit double glazing where not already fitted/upgrade older style double glazing where frames are deteriorating
   f.  Ensure good draft proofing (mindful of the need to maintain adequate ventilation)
   g. Offer SMART heating controls to new occupiers (eg Hive or Nest)
 
2. Working with the NZC Teams (Diocesan and National), we will keep abreast of learning and advances in technology so we are aware of the changing circumstances in which cost-benefit analysis of replacing oil/gas boilers with ASHPs is viable from a capital and running cost perspective (taking account of grants available).  We will then replace old / end-of-life oil/gas boilers with ASHPs as standard when economically viable, always taking advantage of grants available for such work.  In other circumstances, when ASHPs are not viable, any boiler replacement will be with the boilers of the highest efficiency rating.  Old/near end-of-life oil boilers will never be replaced like-for-like if a gas supply is available (and can be installed for an affordable price). 

3. We will explore selling and/or redevelopment of old vicarages (and adjacent land) with low EPC (E, F and G) when they become vacant, taking a balanced approach from the perspective of carbon emissions, maintenance costs and occupiers’ heating costs.  

• Building an understanding of our buildings and their carbon emissions so that the steps we take to reduce emissions are based on good data and are the most cost-effective.
• Building momentum in our NZC journey by starting to take small, low-cost steps to reduce emissions.
• Taking advantage of resources provided by the National Church and other donors to create ‘parish demonstrator projects’, gathering and applying learning from these in the coming years. 
• Developing our understanding of funding opportunities and how to support parishes to access them. 

Tearfund has developed a series of nine short videos featuring Katharine Hayhoe, the internationally renowned Christian climate scientist. In each episode, she responds to climate questions from key church leaders and members.

You can watch the video series here.