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More than 5,500 churches, including 15 cathedrals, have switched to 100 per cent renewable energy tariffs.
The average church electricity bill is £1,000 which means British churches have diverted more than £5 million from fossil fuels to the renewable energy sector.
Salisbury, Bristol and Sheffield are among the cathedrals using 100 per cent renewable energy thanks to church procurement group Parish Buying which has turned their bulk “electricity basket” to 100 per cent renewables.
Other churches have turned to renewable electricity through the “Big Church Switch” campaign which allows parishes to sign up to a scheme run by national buying group 2buy2, which pools the combined buying power of organisations such as churches and schools to negotiate the cheapest possible tariff.
Often, Christian Aid says, the renewable energy tariff is cheaper than the fossil fuel powered one they were on before.
This is not the first time the church has taken steps towards tackling climate change.
The church recently voted in favour of selling off its shares in any fossil fuel companies which have not aligned their business with the Paris climate agreement by 2023.
Nicholas Holtam, the bishop of Salisbury and the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment, said he hoped more churches will switch to renewables.
He said: “Climate change is one of the great moral challenges of our time and so it’s fantastic to see churches doing their bit to ensure they reduce their impact on the environment. They are also giving a boost to clean energy which is essential to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
“It’s very encouraging to see more churches walking the walk and making concrete steps to ensure our common home is greener and cleaner, thanks in part to the Church’s shared energy basket ‘Parish Buying’ now sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy. Hopefully the number continues to grow.”
Emma Pinchbeck, executive director at Renewable UK, added: “Any organisation that takes tackling climate change seriously would want to make sure it’s taking full advantage of our bountiful natural resources, including wind, wave and tidal power.
“Renewables are already the cheapest form of new electricity and costs are continuing to fall even further. We’re creating jobs and attracting investment to parts of the country which need it most, such as coastal communities.”
Some of England’s most historic sites will become more energy efficient after Ecotricity launched a partnership with English Heritage in May this year.
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