Eight Christian and Faith Based Resources that Support Climate Action

Here are Christian and other faith-based resources to help communities to act on climate change. These resources include how to expertise and step by step best practices. They address ways of greening church and other buildings as well as other actions that can be taken in support of a more sustainable world.  Many of these resources provide overlapping guidance but they all share a common focus on minimizing environmental impacts focusing on the critical issue of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. 

The Stewardship of the Environment Committee in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal has also produced Eightfold Path of Environmental Action a companion piece for its short film The Seed, that will be launched at the end of the Season of Creation on October 4, 2020.  This document promotes climate action and is broken down into 8 separate modules that focus on understanding, thought, speech, action, works, efforts, concentration and mindfulness.  Click here to access these documents.

One of the most helpful documents is the guidance laid out in The Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon for Churches: Advice and guidance for church buildings. This document from the Church of England offers a practical path that helps to answer the questions of where to start and what to do to zero-out emissions. The recommendations are relatively easy, with relatively quick pay back.  The guidance provides actions that nearly all churches can benefit from (even low occupancy churches).  The goal of this document is to help churches reduce their energy use and associated carbon emissions. They are based on the findings of a church energy audit programme and input from of a range of professionals in the field. Click here to access the document.

Another useful resource comes from The Sustainability Education and Energy Knowledge-sharing (SEEK) Project. This action research project of the Spirituality and Sustainability Initiative catalyzes the values-driven leadership of cohesive social networks, such as congregations to accelerate societal energy transitions through education, technical assistance and social innovation. Click here to access this document. 

ENERGY STAR has produced a document that shows that the worship facilities can see an average energy savings of 30 percent or more with no-cost actions, strategic investment, and smart operations and maintenance. Click here to access this document.

In addition to the four documents reviewed above here are four other helpful resources:

Green Churches Network
The Kairos Energy Workbook for Religious Buildings
World Environment Day Practical Guide: A practical guide for individuals, faith groups and others
Guide to Climate Action