Making the case for Net Zero Carbon

Action Planning is leading on a multi-year programme of support for the national Church of England, to support churches in their journey to Net Zero Carbon by giving hands-on fundraising support to parishes chosen by their dioceses to be “demonstrator churches”.

Any church that is raising funds for a building with a net zero element needs to be clear about its case for support. We have supported churches towards successful bids with the Heritage Lottery Fund and others, and this is the best place to start.

Essentially a case for support will answer these questions. We can help walk you through the detail of all of these.

• What is the problem and need? You’ll have both statistics and stories.
• What is your proposed solution? You will need detail, evidence and consultation.
• Who will benefit? Numbers, case studies and real voices.
• What are the consequences of not doing this?
• Who else is doing what you do?
• What are the expected outcomes and impact?
•  How can a funder help?
• What are any potential benefits to the funder/supporter:
• Are there external endorsements?

The Church of England has written this for churches about its own case for supporting work towards Net Zero Carbon:

“Responding to the climate crisis is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world. Tackling climate change also supports our local mission. It witnesses to our communities that we are people who care about climate justice, now and for the future. Many of the steps needed to reduce energy use will make our buildings brighter and warmer and more welcoming, so they are suitable to be used more often by more people and can save us money on our running costs. By 2030, the hope is that our buildings will be bright and welcoming, consuming much less energy and emitting less carbon than they do now. And that will be good for the people who use the buildings, and good for the whole of creation.”

One church that has benefited from Action Planning’s support wrote this about the help it has received :

“The green [net zero carbon aspect of the project] has certainly captured the imagination of the PCC, and will for others, but for some it is going to be the use of the building to the local community in helping the poor, the needy, those looking for solace and support, and how that needs to continue into the future. It’s great to have some key next steps and a strategy plan. Our Action Planning consultant has given us lots of advice, lots of insight.”

Eleanor Stead, Head of Giving, Church of England, wrote this:

“It has been a genuine pleasure to work with Action Planning on this important and time pressured project. They have delivered a thorough and thought-provoking feasibility study which their team should be very proud of. It asks some serious and challenging questions, but most excitingly highlights the opportunities available to make NetZero 2030 happen.”

Read the background of how Action Planning is helping here. If you would like help with your church capital project or fundraising towards Net Zero, please contact us.