Tree planting at Heartwood, Woodland Trust
This page forms part of the Diocese of London's Shrinking the Footprint microsite. For the introductory page, see here.
'Think Global, Act Local' is an apt and popular slogan.
Although much of the environmental debate is on a global scale, there are many practical ways for individuals and organisations to contribute to the effort. This cumulative effect really can make a difference – and potentially save money too.
There are three basic steps to implement:
Advice on how to reduce our environmental footprint, beginning with these three basic suggestions, can be downloaded from the information section below.
To go further, see Route 2050, God's world for us to share, and Climate Action Projects.
Many of our churches have already taken some or all of these actions.
For information on how to choose the appropriate fitting and wattage visit here.
A leaflet with a simple form to get a quote from 'BestBulb' for low energy lighting may be downloaded here.
| BestBulb lighting quotation |
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Other suppliers from whom catalogues and/or quotations may be obtained include:
All of them stock Philips and other well-known brands.
Replacement lamps should be selected having regard to existing fittings. Lower energy lamps with much longer lamp lives also save costs of gaining safe access to replace lamps in high spaces. Consideration may be given to replacing all lamps together, whether or not all have failed, on a pre-arranged schedule.
Download general guidance here:
| Lighting in Churches |
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Comfort expectations have risen to an extent that would have been seen as profligate only a generation ago. Just a one degree reduction may be expected to save approximately 9% of heat energy.
Boiler-driven systems will have a thermostat on the boiler itself, and another wall-mounted at some central point. The wall/room thermostat controls the temperature in the space – the boiler power and thermostat control how quickly and efficiently it reaches it. An optimal location for the room thermostat is critical to efficient energy management.
Individual heaters or radiators may also have thermostats – if not, it is well worth installing thermostatic radiator valves, and making good use of them.
The exact amount to lower the temperature depends on the current setting; whereas the optimum setting depends on the efficiency of the heating system, and the thermal characteristics of a building. Anything in the range 16-19 deg C may be appropriate in different church buildings, with an average somewhere in the middle of that range.
The wellbeing of the elderly and infirm and young children should be given their due weight.
In very cold weather, there's no shame in turning up the gas heating. A higher setting may be needed to achieve minimum comfort, due to temperature drops towards cold spots. This may save energy, compared to bringing in portable heaters – use of electric portable heaters should be avoided if at all possible.
Turning down the knob applies to heating, but not in the same way to hot water. 60 deg C is usually the right maximum temperature for hot water – for at least one hour per day – too hot for legionella (any higher increases the risk of scalding). It is advisable to programme this maximum temperature to end just before any time when showers are taken – to stop harmful bacteria getting onto shower heads – and immediately after any shut-down. A lower temperature, say 40 deg C, can be programmed at other times.
In addition to considering temperature settings, it is important to improve insulation and stop draughts where feasible. See Generic Building Solutions and Climate Action Projects.
Download general guidance here:
| Heating churches |
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Buying green energy contributes to reducing the emissions from electricity through the national grid. The Diocese of London recommends 'Good Energy' as the UK's best supplier of renewable electricity.
Here's how to make the switch:
| Green Energy application form |
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| Switching to a green energy supplier |
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The Diocesan Shrinking the Footprint Steering Group has produced three leaflets with information and guidance on key environmental topics, relevant to churches and congregations. Each leaflet is in landscape, to print double-sided for folding in three.
Pre-printed copies may be requested from the Head of Environmental Challenge:
| Gas and electricity prices – with energy-saving tips |
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| Plants, animals, creation – about fauna and flora |
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| Waste not want not – conserving water and waste |
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Have you measured your personal carbon footprint yet? Try Carbon Footprint. Travel Footprint is recommended for trips.
And here is an illustrated talk by the Head of Environmental Challenge on the background to the many environmental problems we face, and how to tackle them:
| World, Environment, Climate, Responses |
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The Shrinking the Footprint Steering Group has prepared several more guides to inform how we re-orient our lives and find practical ways to reach our goals, including environmentally-conscious changes to church buildings:
| Reducing Water Consumption |
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Also, a supply of 'Save-a-Flush' water-saving balloons to insert into toilet cisterns can be collected in person from the Head of Environmental Challenge at 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4AU.
| Generating your own Energy |
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| Recycling and Waste Disposal |
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| Whose world? Study Guide |
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In March 2007, the Bishop of London, with Ken Livingstone the then Mayor of London and a group of religious leaders, launched For Creed and Creation.
This booklet offers further simple advice to churches on how to become 'green'. Hard copies are available from the 
. Or the full illustrated text is available to download from this page:
| For Creed and Creation |
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A variety of publications on care for the environment are available from Church House Bookshop, adjoining Church House in Great Smith Street, London SW1.
These include the following, both by Claire Foster and David Shreeve:
