This page contains information about the work that you could do to implement actions in your setting to reduce the carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions of your local church.
This work could be organized by your church Green Team or your Trustees or your Church Council or in whatever way works best for your local church.
GenerAl Conference Legislation
The 2024 General Conference passed some legislation about reducing emissions with some suggested tasks (paragraphs 2533.8 and 2550.11 and resolutions 1215 and 1216.) There was also legislation on green teams, church land use and use of plastics that could also be of relevance as you think about reducing your emissions. There is also a study guide for this part of the legislation.
In summary:
- ¶2533.8 urges churches to conduct an annual carbon footprint and/or greenhouse gas emissions audit of their buildings, grounds, and facilities.
- ¶2550.11 requires an evaluation of all church buildings, grounds, and facilities in relation to their impact on the church’s ability to be carbon neutral and/or have net zero greenhouse gas emissions together with a plan to achieve this.
- Resolution 1215 is about confessing our failure to steward the earth and committing to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Resolution 1216 is about supporting and advocating for legislative and policy efforts to reduce the nation’s emissions, and doing this in a manner that is compassionate to those who are most disadvantaged and impoverished; and placing climate justice at the forefront of preaching and teaching ministries.
Where to Start
First, ensure that there is a good understanding among your team about greenhouse gas emissions and what it means to be carbon neutral and net zero. United Methodist Creation Justice Ministries had a cafe (video) on The Science and Solutions of Climate Change where Bill Middlecamp explains about greenhouse gases in an easy-to-understand way and shares what a path to emissions reduction and a just transition can look like. They also have a Net Zero study guide on the General Conference legislation. To keep climate justice at the forefront of preaching and teaching ministries, check our page of worship resources.
A good place to begin this work is to carry out a carbon audit as individuals and as a church. There are lots of different tools available to help you analyze your footprint. Some examples are listed below.
Note: The Cool Congregations calculator used by IPL is not currently available – it will be be back later in Spring or Summer 2026.
Once you understand more about your carbon footprint, you might have some clues as to where to start, and also a benchmark to measure progress. Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) offer a Cool Congregations program that helps congregations reduce the carbon footprint of their facilities and engages their members in reducing their carbon footprint at home.
There are many ways that churches and individuals can reduce their carbon footprint. Some ideas are:
- Switch to low energy lightbulbs
- Turn off unused lights
- Set heating/cooling to only be used as needed in all areas of the building
- Encourage use of public transport and ride sharing
- Reuse or recycle everything possible so that the waste that goes to landfill is minimized
- A rental policy which prioritizes the sustainable use of the site
- Install good insulation for walls, roof and floor spaces and double/triple glazed windows
- Install solar panels
- If you need to replace a boiler, then install an electric heat pump
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also produces a guide called Supporting Healthy Houses of Worship that identifies some of the most common types of environmental health concerns found in older facilities and ways that waste reduction and energy and water efficiency actions can conserve valuable, financial and natural resources.
Solar Installation
Some churches might look to install solar panels. California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) have a Cool Congregations program and lots of experience with solar installations and grant options. CIPL is currently partners with EnergySage and others to help your congregation find the money saving resources needed to install solar.
Interfaith Solar Campaign also help faith communities to go solar by bringing expertise in renewable energy, construction management, and financing.
Lease-to-own options can make solar installation possible with no down payment, and still save congregations money on their energy bills.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Cafe in September 2025 talks about how to qualify, and who can still qualify, for federal incentives by the end of the year. This also covers some tips and information to support continued solarization efforts in 2026.
EV Chargers
Some churches might look to install EV Chargers in their parking lots. EV chargers at churches turn parking lots into climate solutions. They serve members, staff, and visitors while also supporting the broader community. Chargers invite people to spend time nearby, attend events, or simply feel welcomed. They signal that the congregation is forward looking, values climate justice, and is willing to put faith into action in visible ways. There are also practical benefits. Charging stations can generate modest revenue, increase property value, and make congregations more attractive hosts for meetings and community gatherings. When congregations install EV charging stations, they help accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels while offering a tangible public good rooted in care for creation and neighbor alike.
Begin by finding out if the church is in an area with a Community Choice Aggregation electricity provider by putting the church zip code into this interactive map or by looking at this list of service areas. There are over 15 million California customers in 200+ towns, cities and countries with community choice energy providers. If you are in such an area, then ask your provider if they offer any grants.
Note: Currently California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) has grants from AVA Community Energy available for churches in Alameda County and San Joaquin County to install EV chargers. The grant covers the charger plus some/all of installation charge depending on difficulty, usually covering between 90% and 100% of the total cost.
The church must own the parking lot and have wi-fi, there must be public access to the chargers, and the parking spaces must be ADA compliant. CIPL has a recommended company that they have partnered with for installation and help with the necessary software for credit card payment and other details.
Contact Gregory for more information:
Advocacy
Check out our pages for advocacy resources and advocacy opportunities supporting and advocating for legislative and policy efforts to reduce the nation’s emissions, and doing this in a manner that is compassionate to those who are most disadvantaged and impoverished