Environmental Action
Since Diocesan Synod declared a climate emergency in March 2020, our Environment Task Group (ETG) is overseeing an ambitious programme of change. The Diocese of Oxford has approved £10 million expenditure on environmental works to improve the carbon footprint of vicarages and better care for its clergy. The investment is part of an ambitious plan by the diocese to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035. The diocese surveyed 427 clergy houses to establish a carbon baseline for the properties. A net zero retrofit housing strategy has set about improving the energy and heating efficiency of vicarages. Solar panels have already been fitted to over 50 properties, but the diocese now plans to do significantly more by addressing the energy loss from its vicarages and prepare for improvements in heat pump technology.
Project implementation has started in 2022, ramping up in 2023 under the new Director’s leadership, with environmental works to clergy housing in the diocese. This will include the installation of long-term heat demand reduction measures including wall, floor and roof insulation, and improved window and door draft proofing. By 2024 the programme accelerates significantly again to see major improvements to vicarages across the diocesan portfolio including solar panels and additional insulation. As heat pump technology improves, fossil fuel boilers will be replaced with heat pumps.
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