Our Paris Pledge
Our Paris Pledge: to eliminate the use of fossil fuels from our Building and Grounds.
Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), a faith-based environmental organization with chapters in 40 states, took a scroll to the UN Paris Climate Talks in December 2015 that bears the names of congregations –including ours– that pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and set a goal to reduce by 100% by 2050. In 2022 we signed an accelerated version, committing to be carbon neutral by 2040, not because we have a specific plan, but because it is what needs to be done to avert catastrophic climate change.
How Can Our Church Become Carbon Neutral?
The Green Sanctuary Task Force formed a Paris Pledge working group in 2015 to develop a plan that we took to the board and then to the congregation for a vote. After the task force was formed in 2005, we had an assessment of the building that uncovered issues with the building envelope. To apply for a grant toward the cost of adding solar that we received in 2012, we pledged to reduce our energy use by at least 25% compared to a baseline year of 2010 by focusing on energy conservation and efficiency. In order to reach net zero, we will continue to invest in energy efficiency and eliminate the use of natural gas to heat spaces and water. We will continue to advocate for state and federal government policies that support a carbon fee and other policies that foster grid decarbonization. For information about the steps we have taken to date, see the information below.
Energy Conservation
The first steps to reducing our impact on the earth were to reduce the energy use by programing thermostats so we only heat and air condition spaces when they are in use, and by weatherizing the building to reduce loss of conditioned air by sealing gaps and insulating roofs and walls.
Energy Efficiency
We have upgraded our heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as they aged, including converting natural gas heat to electric fuel pump systems, replacing incandescent lighting with fluorescent and then LED lights, adding controls on exhaust fans, and upgrading old appliances and water heaters.
Renewable Energy
Our three solar arrays, now totaling 40.2 kW, have produced over 376,000 kWh of electricity, saving over $28,000 in the first 11 years.
Carbon Sink
We are reducing the carbon footprint of our grounds by replacing grass with native trees, plants, and bushes.
