A resource for faith-based organizations as they transition to sustainable energy and zero GHG emissions

Special Challenges / Opportunities

This section acknowledges that every organization has unique challenges and opportunities to reduce GHG emissions.

Every facility has its own special defining architectural characteristics that are valued by the congregation; however, these features may present some added complexity in transitioning to the sustainable operation of the facility.

The “Green Team” of each organization is generally responsible for a GHG emissions audit to identify and quantify the sources of harmful materials linked to a faith-based organization. Interfaith Power and Light provide an online “carbon calculator” specifically designed for congregations. The ‘carbon calculator’ can be very useful in conducting an Emissions Audit.

Example #1. Changing Challenges – First Universalist. The graphic below shows the results of their Emissions Audit prior to renovating the facility in 2016.

EXAMPLE OF A GHG EMISSIONS AUDIT

As indicated their initial challenges focused on reducing GHG emissions linked to:

1. heating the facility. (natural gas furnaces were being used),
2. electrical power being purchased from Xcel Energy. (78% of Xcel’s power was still being generated by burning ancient hydrocarbons in 2018.)

After the new energy system (using sustainable solar electric & ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling) had been installed and activated in 2018, their GHG emissions decreased by around 100 metric tonnes/year. Priorities changed.

Today, First Universalist’s major challenge/opportunity for reducing emissions has shifted to the Transportation sector. The Emissions Audit estimated that over the course of one year, members and staff drive over 160,000 miles to attend Sunday services and church-related functions during the week. Transportation to and from the church, most of it via gasoline-powered vehicles, creates around 35 metric tonnes of GHG emissions per year. Today, reducing transportation-related emissions is the current challenge/opportunity for the First Universalist congregation.

Example #2. Sustainable Heating Challenges – Hot Water Radiative Heating Systems. Several Charter Member churches utilize a hot water system with a gas-fired boiler to heat their facility. This is a special but common challenge for a number of faith-based organizations. It is suggested that the Interfaith Green Building Collaboratory form a special task force to support organizations with this special challenge.

Example #3. Other Sources of GHG emissions Provide Special Challenges/Opportunities. The scope of the initial conference was extended to include “Building and Grounds” as a reminder that faith-based organizations may inadvertently be contributing to the climate crisis in multiple areas.

  • Food production, selection, preparation, and disposal can be a source of GHG emissions.
  • Water usage involves energy that may be linked to GHG emissions.
  • General waste disposal in landfills that involve anaerobic composting can be a source of GHG emissions.
  • Grounds can be used in a regenerative sense by sequestering carbon as biomass and soil enrichment.

Example #4. Stewardship of the “Grounds” Can be a Regenerative Opportunity. In addition, stewardship of the “Grounds” provides an opportunity for the congregation to enhance their connection with the interdependent web of Life. Some organizations are creatively exploring Regenerative Practices that promote those living systems that use extract CO2 from the atmosphere and serve as negative GHG emissions.