There is growing interest from faith groups in London (and across the UK) to explore routes to reduce the environmental impact of their own Places of Worship (PoW).
Action is already being taken in PoW buildings ranging from churches, synagogues, mosques, hindu temples, gurdwaras, and buddhist temples.
An increasing number of faith groups are setting up their own congregation-led climate projects, and many are also working with established community energy groups to help accelerate the development of their ideas.
This workshop looks at the potential for greater action and collaboration between faith groups and London’s community energy sector, to deliver such environmental projects. Through a congregation-led community energy project, PoW can not only reduce carbon emissions in their communities, working towards net-zero goals, but also increase participation in the low-carbon energy transition, making it more just and fair for all.
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At this Event
At this event we will be providing Places of Worship and faith groups with the ideas and resources needed to get started on a community energy project in their own communities.
We’ll be hearing from:
- Community Energy groups and PoW who have successfully delivered on such projects both separately and in collaboration
- Community Energy London on how and why you may want to do the same
- Various faith group leaders on the importance of such community-led projects
- The Greater London Authority’s ambitions for PoW and Net-Zero
What is Community Energy?
This is something we will be covering in more detail at the event itself. But for a brief description of Community Energy:
Community energy is where people come together to engage in energy-related activities, usually in response to concerns about climate change, inequality and fuel poverty. Projects are designed to have local benefits and are led by local people – and activities can include generating renewable energy, efficiency measures, group buying and initiatives aimed at behaviour change. It can mean everything from clubbing together to get solar on your local Place of Worship, to presenting at a local residents groups about saving energy. Community energy projects are widely recognised as an effective way to raise awareness and engage people in energy issues.
Our existing Community Energy network has expertise that can provide PoW with:
- Technical support on identifying carbon reduction solutions at PoW sites.
- Help identify funding routes from local grants and government support mechanisms for carbon-reduction, to raising finance through issuing community share offers.
- Training and resources to deliver their own projects and support their communities
For further information, see Community Energy London’s:
10 step guide to setting up a community energy group
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