Sustainability award for Islington churches project

The Sustainable Church Buildings Project has improved the energy efficiency of churches all across Islington. It has now been recognised as Islington’s Best Community Environmental Project, at the inaugural Camden and Islington Sustainability Awards ceremony.

Run by local charity Cloudesley, in partnership with the Diocese of London and the Islington Deanery, the Sustainable Church Buildings Project saw every CofE church in Islington given a full ‘environmental audit’ and receive bespoke energy saving recommendations.

Following the churches’ environmental audits, Cloudesley provided further grant funding of £540,000 for Islington churches to enable them to implement chosen energy-saving recommendations.

Twenty-four churches received a up to £10,000. Ten churches also received grants of up to £50,000 to take forward the recommendations with the highest environmental benefit.

Projects to be implemented as a result of the Sustainable Church Buildings Project include the installation of solar panels, as well as energy efficient lighting and improvements to churches’ windows.

Maggie Elliott, Chair of Trustees, Cloudesley, said:

“Cloudesley is delighted that this important project has been recognised in this way.  The Sustainable Church Buildings Project is a great example of what can be achieved through working in partnership.  Every church in the Islington Deanery has benefitted from this project, with Cloudesley’s funding supporting environmental measures in all 24 churches.”

Brian Cuthbertson, Head of Environment & Sustainability, Diocese of London, said:

“This marvellous project, a most productive collaboration between Cloudesley and the Diocese of London, has delivered a step change in the energy efficiency of churches across a whole London borough.”

The award for Best Community Environmental Project was accepted by representatives from Cloudesley at the inaugural Camden and Islington Sustainability Awards ceremony.

This was the first time that Camden and Islington’s sustainability networks had come together to share and celebrate cross-borough leadership in green best practice, with awards made under eight categories for businesses, community and schools projects.

The Sustainable Church Buildings Project was set up by Cloudesley in partnership with the Diocese of London and the Islington Deanery to mark the 500th anniversary of the bequest of local gentleman Richard Cloudesley.  500 years on, Richard Cloudesley’s legacy still benefits Islington, through grants to help maintain local churches and to help residents who have physical or mental health problems and are on low incomes.

In addition to Cloudesley’s support, the project helped raise approximately £100,000 of match funding, supporting the churches to raise around £55,000 from the Islington Community Energy Fund and through a £45,000 strategic match grant from national funder, Allchurches Trust.

Images: St Stephen’s Canonbury, St Augustine’s solar panels with Revd Gabriel Anstis and Catherine Ross, Miranda Coates receiving the award.