Seven of 37 churches contribute 42% of Diocese carbon footprint

Diocese of Sodor and Man publishes 'Action Plan' to tackle climate change

The Diocese of Sodor and Man has outlined its 'proposed response to the climate emergency through a reduction in fossil fuel use'.

It says it will need to implement 'lay training about net zero carbon for people across the Diocese' and gain advice regarding heating, including the installation and maintenance of gas and oil boilers, to counteract the loss of heat from older buildings.

The Action Plan, from the Net Zero Carbon Group, primarily covers carbon emissions from its use of buildings owned by the Diocese or significantly influenced by the Diocese. It also includes emissions due to reimbursable work-related travel.

The Net Zero Carbon Group, consisting of senior staff, meet monthly. Its members currently are the archdeacon (chair), diocesan secretary, diocesan fundraiser and DEO.

The new Action Plan acknowledges that the highest 20 per cent of energy using churches, together with the properties owned by the Diocese, cause a significant proportion of the overall diocesan emissions, and therefore proposes an overall approach for the Island.

It states: 'A minority of churches contribute a significant proportion of our Diocesan carbon footprint. In our case, the seven (19 per cent) highest energy using of our thirty seven churches contributed 42 per cent of all the churches’ carbon footprint in 2021.

'Six of these seven are used regularly during the week and four are registered EcoChurches.'

According to a pie chart in the document, these churches are: St George's in Douglas, St Ninian's in Douglas, St Paul's in South Ramsey, Kirk Braddan (St Brendan), St Matthew the Apostle in Douglas, Kirk Marown (St Runius) and Kirk Michael (St Michael and All Angels).

The action plan is available in full HERE.