Energy Footprint Tool relaunched
Churches are encouraged once again to measure their carbon footprint with the online calculator - the Energy Footprint Tool.
A quick and easy way for churches to find out their carbon emissions, the annual Energy Footprint Tool (EFT), is being opened again this year for the submission of 2023 energy data.
As previously, clerics and volunteers will be able to input data from their annual utility bills for last year and the tool will instantly calculate the carbon footprint of their church.
Knowing how much carbon a church generates each year can help them plan actions to enhance energy efficiency, compare results with previous years to assess their progress, and allow them to, once identified, offset their carbon emissions.
Last year, churches across the Province benefited from using the tool for the first time. Many found that their carbon footprint was relatively modest and with the implementation of minor efficiency measures they could offset their emissions quite easily to be net zero.
Mission Area Treasurer for Tanat Vyrnwy, Ann Edwards found the Energy Footprint Tool straightforward, saying: “As a Mission Area Treasurer I have access to all the energy information required (individual churches' energy bills) and entering the information on to the system was quick and easy. I believe this to be an excellent tool going forward as you can see at a glance how your energy usage compares with previous years and if there are areas that would to be addressed to improve your footprint.'
For other higher energy users, the Energy Footprint Tool provided them with the necessary evidence of their higher impact to spur them into taking action to reduce their carbon emissions.
“The Energy Footprint Tool is also a useful assessment tool at the Province level”, says Director of Climate Change, Julia Edwards. “We have been able to use the EFT summary data to identify our high energy users and also, follow up with churches that recorded higher levels of emissions than might be expected, to offer them further support. Without the Energy Footprint Tool, the context of each church would not have been highlighted.”
Any church user of the tool registering for the first time will need a unique password to enable them to register and use the Energy Footprint Tool. The password is obtainable either from the diocesan office or the Church’s Director of Climate Change, Dr Julia Edwards juliaedwards@churchinwales.org.uk
Those who already registered with the Energy Footprint Tool last year, upon signing in this time, will be taken to their relevant church page directly to submit their 2023 energy data.