Module 13 soon to be formally launched

MODULE 13 CLIMATE CHANGE:
MANAGING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Do you know how to measure and reduce your church’s carbon footprint? Eco-Congregation Scotland can help you!

Eco-congregations across Scotland can now quickly and easily measure the carbon footprint of their church buildings. Eco-Congregation Scotland is launching a new module that has been developed to help congregations of all denominations respond to climate change. The module has been developed after a programme of meetings with congregations across Scotland earlier this year and with financial support from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). It brings together for the first time a number of important concerns:

• why Christians must respond to climate change
• a simple tool for congregations to work out the carbon footprint of their church buildings
• a challenge to congregations to commit to cut their carbon footprint by 5% each year

Why is it important to know your carbon footprint? Most eco-congregations are now aware of climate change from reports in the news papers and on television. However from our research we learned that very few people know how much energy was used in their church buildings; how big their carbon footprint could be or how they could take action to minimise their own contribution to global warming. Knowing your carbon footprint is a vital step to help take action.

Module 13 explains how this can be done quickly and accurately. It shows, in easy steps, how to work out from electricity, gas or oil bills the annual carbon footprint of a building; and how to find out advice and information to reduce this total – and save money. Advice and possibly funding is available through the Energy Saving Trust or Climate Challenge Fund to help you do this.

We are now encouraging congregations across Scotland to register as eco-congregations and to join this movement to respond to climate change. Please go to the Eco Congregation Scotland website where you can also download a copy of the module. Please click here to download a copy. . Alternatively ring Aniko Schuetz for more information on 0131 240 2274.

Climate change: Why should the church be interested?

The Presbytery of Gordon ~ Church and Society Committee is sponsoring a conference on climate change entitled MAKING A DIFFERENCE ~ YOUR CHURCH AND CLIMATE CHANGE. The event will take place on Saturday 25TH April 2009 9.30 am – 1.00 pm
In Kemnay Church Centre.

Adrian Shaw from the Church of Scotland, and the climate change project officer will talk about the need for congregations to understand their involvement as Christians in addressing and acting on issues of climate change. This will be followed by Alison Wisely from the SCARF/Energy Saving trust. Finally, Ruth Radcliffe, Chair of Kemnay Parish Church Green Group will talk about becoming an Eco-Congregation; calculating your church building's carbon footprint and what is required of a Christian community.



Adrian Shaw, Climate change project officer was involved yesterday at a climate change conference organised by the Presbytery of Dundee and the Church and Society Committee. The event took place in Meadowside St Paul’s Church Hall. There were further presentations by SCARF on the economic advantages of reducing your fuel consumption and by The Rev’d Valerie L Allen, Arbroath, Old and Abbey who spoke on the issues surrounding becoming an eco-congregation.

Over 50 people attended this event. The audience was able to review and comment on Draft version of Module 13 Managing your Carbon Footprint.