Diocesan decarbonisation plan sparks property survey
Tuesday 12th July 2022Work is under way to begin our journey to net zero with a comprehensive survey of diocesan buildings.
We are working with Wikus Cookney from Silver EMS and John Hindley from Twelvetrees to carry out a full and extensive survey of all parish and diocesan buildings to help prioritise decarbonisation projects.
The survey will collect information from all buildings across the diocese, including presbyteries and parish halls, to calculate the carbon emissions of each building and will look at ways in which improvements can be made to reduce carbon as part of the diocese’s work towards its goal of being net zero by 2038.
Taking all this information into account, the survey will then highlight the top 20% of buildings where the biggest impact can be made – whether that is by significantly reducing the consumption of buildings that have the biggest footprint, or by helping buildings that have smaller footprints to becoming practically net zero.
The survey feeds into the wider environmental work of the diocese, which demonstrates a special commitment to caring for our common home through projects such as Guardians of Creation, For the Beauty of the Earth, and of course our Laudato Si’ Centre at Wardley Hall.
Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environment for the Diocese of Salford, is delighted to welcome Wikus and John and to see the work on the survey beginning to take place.
She said: “Beginning our decarbonisation journey is a major milestone for our diocese.
“Our aim to become net zero by 2038 is without doubt a challenge but this work will provide us with a powerful tool to affect real change.
“We are delighted to welcome Wik and John and believe their expertise and experience will help us make some real progress in the coming months.
“I would like to thank all parish staff, volunteers, and clergy for their cooperation with this project as we work together to take action and live out our Christian call to protect our common home and care for creation.”
Wik has already begun contacting parishes to carry out the survey, and resources with more guidance on making our buildings greener will be released in due course.
We are also currently working with a number of our schools to explore ways to replicate this work in school buildings across the diocese
Already, parishes and schools across the diocese are carrying out fantastic work to help reduce our emissions and care for our common home. If you would like to know what steps you can take, why not:-:
- Check the heating settings, ensuring they match to usage so heating is only run when necessary (if your building is listed and/or has historic or artistic interest please contact the Property Team).
- Replace lightbulbs and floodlights with LEDs and check lights are switched off when not needed.
- Purchase A+++ appliances when the old ones are needing replacement.
- Track your energy usage through energy bills and a goal to reduce the energy you use.
If you would like any further information about the surveys, what this means for your parish or school, or what steps you can take to become more sustainable, please contact us at decarbonisation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.
Tagged | Around the Diocese | Diocese | Environment | Parishes
