It’s the Great Big Green Week - a week to celebrate the difference that can be made when people act together for the benefit of the climate.
Recording your church’s energy use through the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is an unseen but essential act of caring for people and the planet.
By measuring and reducing energy use, we take practical steps to combat the impact of climate change and live out our calling to love our neighbours.
It also gives you:
- A clear understanding of your energy use
- Insights into how to reduce costs
- Access to national net zero funding
Watch this short video about why the EFT matters and how it can help you and your church.
The Tool closes to submissions on 30 June, 2026, so why not get started this Great Big Green Week?
Find out what you need to do at: www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/energy-footprint-tool
Ready to get started? Access the EFT on the Parish Returns portal
Elible for Net Zero grants
St Nicholas Church, Chislehurst, completed their Energy Footprint Tool last year, making them eligible for a £5,000 Net Zero Quick Wins grant to improve heating in their church hall.
The Rev Rachel Curley, says that she was concerned that they were often heating their entire hall during school holidays when it wasn’t in use, or heating every room when only a single meeting room was needed:
“Manually going around each day to turn individual radiators on and off simply wasn’t practical.
“Thanks to the grant, we were able to install Hive smart radiator valves, allowing every radiator to be set with its own timer and temperature.
“This has given us full control over what is heated and when, significantly reducing wasted energy as well as saving money.”
Help reduce your energy costs
John Humphrey, Treasurer at St Margaret’s Church, Addington, says that using the EFT has helped them significantly reduce their energy costs:
"After completing the Energy Footprint Tool for 2025 it flagged up that our costs seemed high for the recorded usage.
“So, we obtained quotes from British Gas, EDF and Octopus. All three quotes were around one third of our existing supplier, Utility Warehouse.
“We have now completed the switch to Octopus and based on last year's consumption we should save around £2,000 per annum. Octopus are also 100% renewable energy."
Understand your energy usage
By filling in the Energy Footprint Tool, you enable your church to make wise, targeted decisions to reduce your carbon footprint.
It can help highlight where energy is wasted and may help reduce your energy costs.
It takes less than an hour and anyone with access to your energy bills can complete it.
Watch this Energy Footprint Tool 'walk through guide'.
Need more help?
Don't hestiate to contact the Diocese's Net Zero Adviser, Kayleigh Ward on: kayleigh.ward@rochester.anglican.org
Or why not book onto their Energy Footprint Tool - Last call webinar, taking place on Monday 25 June. Book here