Author Archives: Charity Manager

Warm Connections

By Perth

Home Energy Advice…another part of living out God’s command to care for creation and love our neighbour?

by Anna and Tom Sibbald, Aberfeldy Parish Church

I feel a real sense of pride - good pride, I hope - that my local church is seen to be relevant in our community through Warm Connections. It’s one logical way of being an Eco Congregation.

The Background Stuff

With our passion for God’s creation (both his people and his planet) as our driver, in 2021 we set up a small home energy advice project. Warm Connections is based in Highland Perthshire, part of Aberfeldy Parish Church and the broader work within our linkage and beyond. We provide people in our area with home energy advice, and support healthier, more affordable and greener living. The support we offer falls into 4 areas:

  • No cost and low-cost solutions
  • Support with bills
  • Advice about funding for home improvements (insulation etc)
  • Advice about renewables

We are very much a first step service and will help steer householders towards the local and regional teams who can access national funding, where necessary.

Just received a payment settling my energy debt which had built up because of illness. My heart is lighter.

The Exciting Stuff

What a delight it is to see the worry lines lift, a smile return when an energy debt is paid off through emergency funding, or a pre-payment meter topped up so the heating clicks back on. Such a privilege, but so is the slower walk with someone as they navigate the maze of options and possibilities available to improve the fabric of their home to make it greener, warmer and more affordable. Most of all, we encourage those small things which cost little or nothing; using less is always going to be a winner. Though our main motive is environmental, for others change may be driven by health or financial benefits, or simply a desire to be more comfortable; whatever the motive, helping folk to use less energy in the home and to keep the heat in the house for longer usually benefits all of the above.

Our focus is on reducing carbon emissions and on those vulnerable to fuel poverty. Supporting and caring for people in this way within our communities is another way that we as Christians can love our neighbour, and we are so thankful that our church community has got behind this amazing opportunity. It is a privilege to visit people at home, to encourage, guide and support householders through the many energy challenges which are out there. Finding ways to show that Christians genuinely care is not always easy, and it is a delight to offer this service with absolutely no cost.

Their gentle and participative approach has really motivated me to make more changes to my home, to save energy, be more eco-aware and be warmer in my house

Is it Working?

We think it is. We are delighted when a person suddenly discovers that someone does care and there is help, even for them. We have seen folk make vital steps towards net zero living through the big installs, but perhaps more important are the little savings we can all make through changed habits, and the low-cost adjustments that together add up. Love in this case has legs, arms, a face, a roll of radiator reflector foil and some low energy light bulbs!

“Warm Connections has been fantastic for so many reasons - building relationships, helping people in our community cut their bills and live out their desire to be greener, and enabling us to care for creation - one of the five marks of mission”. Rev Neil Glover, our minister

What About You?

Warm Connections might have worked without our church, but for us it’s so much more because it is part of the church, and anchored in community. With a climate crisis pressing us into action and so much challenge for householders across Scotland struggling with fuel poverty, this feels like urgent, needed and inspiring work. Work that churches everywhere could get stuck into. So, what did it take?

  • A supportive church
  • A desire to see Christians doing God’s will by encouraging others to care for His creation
  • Interest in home energy (which began for us by making our own home more energy efficient)
  • A love of people and a joy in sharing with them

It is a privilege and a joy to spend time in people’s homes and at events in the community. In the streets and shops we often see folk whom we have met through Warm Connections, and stop to chat; it feels normal and natural but is all part of Christian witness in our community. If you have read this and feel a nudge from God, we would be very happy to have a conversation, and explore your questions.

Anna and Tom Sibbald advice@warmconnections.net www.warmconnections.net

 

ADD YOUR VOICE: New Year’s Climate Resolutions

By News,

As Eco-Congregation Scotland wishes you all the very best for the year ahead, please take a final opportunity to send a New Year’s Climate Resolutions message to Scottish party leaders with your wishes for action on climate and nature in 2024.

Following last month’s COP28 Global Day of Action, organised through Stop Climate Chaos Scotland uniting groups across the country, please send your message at this link by Wednesday 17th January:

www.stopclimatechaos.scot/2024-message-to-party-leaders

Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee Marjory McGhie from Livingston United Parish Church was among hundreds braving the elements on the Global Day of Action, pictured above right alongside Calum Martin and Lucy Le Roux of Christian Aid.

Read more in Lucy’s blog on the day, including comments from David Bethune of Selkirk Parish Church. We look forward to encouraging and supporting more climate campaigning over 2024 as we approach the next UK General Election.

Assessors’ Training: Eco-Congregation Scotland Awards
Part 1: Monday 15th January 2024, 7.30pm–8.30pm
Part 2: Monday 22nd January 2024, 7.30pm–9.30pm
Register for link – or email for future interest

Congratulations to Eileen McQuade, above left, lead volunteer for the eco efforts of St Ninian’s and St Cuthbert’s Parish, Hamilton and all parishioners who welcomed Rt Rev Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell to receive their Eco-Congregation Scotland Silver Award from our depute chair John Seenan.

We need more volunteers to assess these Award applications. There are still spaces for our initial two-part online training this month, or you can email interest for later this year. Assessors visit congregations to confirm they meet our criteria and it’s a rewarding way to share experience and ideas with churches across Scotland. 

Well done also the Salvation Army in Shetland who received a Bronze Award after an online assessment with their innovative polytunnel project, plus support of volunteers from Cunningsburgh United Free Church of Scotland, recently reported in The Shetland Times!

Assessments are often carried out online to save travel. The time commitment and distance travelled are up to you and may only take a few hours every few months. You might bring insights from work, volunteering, church life or experience of applying for an Award yourself.

We still have spaces left for any volunteers keen to train as Award Assessors on the next two Mondays. Please register if you are able to join – or email us if you are interested in being trained later in 2024.

Join us towards Net Zero with HeatHack

By News

Net Zero: Introduction to HeatHack
Improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort in community spaces
Tuesday 16th August 2022
7.00pm – 8.00pm
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/introduction-to-heathack/

DO YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT A NET ZERO FUTURE MEANS FOR YOUR CHURCH OR COMMUNITY BUILDING?

Join us to hear from HeatHack, partnering with The Surefoot Effect for a new programme funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering recruiting small groups from community buildings including churches to start from September. The remit includes heat loss mitigations, changes in how the building is used, and local generation – and includes the kind of planning plus a community engagement event that helps in accessing grants. HeatHack previously helped solve heating problems and inefficiencies in Edinburgh churches. 

You can read more about the programme here:

HeatHack – Improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort in community spaces

HeatHack director Jean Carletta explains: “Thanks to the Royal Academy of Engineering, we have a new programme of facilitated group sessions that community building operators can use to understand what a Net Zero future holds for their own premises.”

“It will help you understand energy efficiency and thermal comfort in what are often very difficult buildings. It will also help you think about what your local community needs from your buildings, whether that means changes, and how to make change happen. We want to help you devise a plan for the future and equip you with the knowledge and confidence to instruct heating engineers and architects with briefs that will get you where you want to be.”

Each group will link with a volunteer engineer to take them through some simple technical concepts and exercises on heat transfer, health and safety and managing complex projects. Engineers Without Borders UK are helping to recruit engineers, but you may know one in your own area to support this work.  Join us on Tuesday to hear more by registering here:

https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/introduction-to-heathack/

Climate Fringe Festival launch

Join us this September at the Climate Fringe Festival! You can find Climate, Community and Justice events all across Scotland on our events map: https://climatefringe.org/cff

The festival aims to bring communities together, generate conversation about Climate Justice, and raise awareness of the need to move towards a green, fair, zero carbon society. Over 50 events have already signed up, including repair workshops, festivals, climate justice talks, live music, and more. Are you planning an event in September? Add it to our calendar and get involved here: climatefringe.org/cff-organise-event/ 

We are adding more amazing events each week so keep an eye on the Climate Fringe, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Eco-Congregation Scotland is keen to encourage all eco-congregations to please consider holding a Climate Conversation, local activity or event in your own church and community during the Climate Fringe Festival and will be in touch directly to offer ideas and support.

This period also includes Scotland’s Climate Week from 26th September, organised by the Scottish Government to help raise awareness of the global climate emergency and celebrate organisations taking action against climate change.

Our next confirmed events, activities and training are being updated to share online. Please get in touch to share what you are doing locally:

https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/upcomingevents

Climate Justice resources

Today we spotlight our partner Christian Aid and their wide range of materials available for churches looking to learn more about climate justice. Whether you’re looking for an all-age arts project or a discussion guide for making a church action plan, you’ll find something to suit on the Climate Justice Church Resources page, or check out video resources on Christian Aid’s YouTube channel. 

Walk2COP27

By News, ,

Walk2COP27

Eco-Congregation Scotland is working with a new initiative called Walk2COP27. Please join us with your participation and support, registering your interest today:

https://www.walk2cop27.com/i-am-interested

Volunteers, churches and faith groups across Scotland welcomed thousands of pilgrims and visitors for last year’s COP26 climate conference, including Walk2COP26 which you can hear more about here. This has developed into Walk2COP27 as we join people from different countries, faith groups, charities, businesses and education establishments to “educate each other on climate challenges and action, forge a sense of solidarity, connect with like minds and catalyse action”.

Walk2COP27 aims to accelerate climate action in the run-up to the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, based around a virtual journey over 45 days from COP26 host city Glasgow. Twelve countries between Scotland and Egypt will host a hybrid or virtual Townhall meeting that showcases how climate change is impacting that location and solutions that are being deployed.

Eco-Congregation Scotland invites individuals, churches and faith groups across Scotland to take part in the virtual journey from 22 September to 7 November:

  • WALK each participant will be encouraged to walk – or run, cycle or wheelchair – as far as they can over 45 days, in their chosen locations, with progress tracked on the platform atlasGO and trees planted by the Jane Goodall Institute for kilometres travelled
  • TALK all participants will be encouraged to attend the Townhalls and other dialogue sessions run in between
  • ACT participants will be encouraged to fundraise, provide input to a proclamation to be published for COP27 and engage in local climate actions

Open to participants all over the world, organisations, teams and individuals can participate by tracking their kilometres travelled on an app in their own locations. It will be great opportunity to walk or take part in other active travel in your own area and with others in your church and community.

Participants can share their climate-related projects, and learn from others via the planned Townhall meetings and social media – including a participants’ forum on the Clubhouse app where all involved can chat. We look forward to supporting discussion on the issues that matter to you.

Towards the end of our journey, participants will contribute to a proclamation which will be delivered to the formal participants at COP27. Climate Justice is always a strong motivator for faith-inspired action and this offers a timely opportunity to join voices around the world, speaking as one on tackling the climate crisis.

How to participate

The journey starts on Thursday 22 September at 12.30pm with the Glasgow Townhall hosted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. This is an open, hybrid public meeting that you can attend in person or join online, with panel discussions on Scotland’s climate change challenges and solutions plus the intersection between health and climate globally.

Participants will be able to register on an App and join a team from 1 September. Once the journey starts participants will be able to:

  • Have trees planted on their behalf by tracking the distance they travel up to 6 November 2022
  • Communicate with their team on the app and see how others are progressing – we hope you will join us and other Scottish faith groups
  • Participate in the 12 Townhalls which are run across the 45 days
  • Lead or participate in sessions on climate action on Clubhouse run by participants
  • Raise funds for the Jane Goodall Institute
  • Contribute to a proclamation summarising the views of all those participating for COP27 delegates to hear

Participants can do as much or as little as you want. Many are planning local activities to complement those above.

What to do now

We look forward to you joining us in September. For now, please:

Please also think about how you would like to get involved or organised through your own group or eco-congregation. Contact our own team with ideas for Eco-Congregation Scotland in your church or area, and for all our volunteers across the country.

A request to register on the app will be sent out on Wednesday 31 August, a link to the app with our code will also be directly accessible on the website from that date.

You can follow Walk2COP27 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Linktree. Please register your interest today:

https://www.walk2cop27.com/i-am-interested

Faith communities’ open letter to COP26 President

By News,

Scottish faith communities call on COP26 President to honour Glasgow Pact commitments

Eco-Congregation Scotland chairperson Richard Murray is among diverse faith leaders and groups calling on COP26 President Alok Sharma to honour the Glasgow Pact commitments.

The Pact includes commitments from 197 nations to build resilience to climate change, curb greenhouse gas emissions and provide finance for both, agreed at the COP26 United Nations climate conference in Glasgow last November.

Religious leaders and faith organisations across Scotland have signed a letter requesting a meeting with Mr Sharma to discuss progress.

At COP26, Mr Sharma said the pact was a “fragile win” and that “unless we honour the promises made – to turn the commitments in the Glasgow Climate Pact into action – they will wither on the vine.”

Scottish religious leaders at the COP26 Vigil on 31 October 2021 courtesy of kelvinstudio.co.uk

Representatives of Scottish faith groups are concerned that world developments have diverted attention from COP26 commitments.

United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has warned it is “now or never” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Director of Interfaith Scotland, Dr Maureen Sier said: “The fragile win achieved at COP26 is at grave risk. It is essential that all governments commit to actioning the Glasgow Pact and work together, with others, to ensure a future for all”.

The letter was developed by the COP26 Interfaith Working Group and signed by faith leaders and organisations across Scotland. The COP26 Interfaith Working Group is made up of representatives from Scottish faith groups and organisations working on climate issues. The group is chaired by Interfaith Scotland with Interfaith Glasgow acting as Secretariat.

Chair and Secretariat of the COP26 Interfaith Working Group

The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, COP President Designate

Dear Mr Sharma,  

cc Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP and First Minister Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP

Faith and Belief Communities request meeting in preparation for COP27

We write to ask for a meeting with you to hear what your Presidency has been doing to honour the Glasgow Pact commitments and what progress has been made.

As representatives of faith groups from across Scotland, we were proud to welcome delegates, campaigners, pilgrims and others to COP26.  We joined people of faith from around the globe demanding action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

We are delighted to share with you our report on Faith Communities and COP26 in Glasgow.

We are increasingly concerned that developments around the world since COP26 have diverted attention from the commitments that were made.  The persistence of the Covid pandemic, a terrible war in Ukraine and dramatic energy price rises that are promoting calls for new oil and gas development put these commitments at risk.

You told us at the close of the conference that it was a “fragile win” and that “unless we honour the promises made – to turn the commitments in the Glasgow Climate Pact into action – they will wither on the vine.”  And UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has warned us it is “now or never” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

We call on you to ensure that the COP26 commitments are put into effect and that climate justice and real energy security are available to all.  As priorities we call upon you to ensure the following:

  • End new oil and gas exploration as recommended by The International Energy Agency
  • Build sustainable economies powered by renewable energy
  • That no one lives in fuel poverty, in the UK or overseas.

As representatives of faith groups across Scotland we commit to doing our part.  Many of us are working across Scotland to promote community action on climate change. We will redouble our efforts and assure you of our continuing support to ensure the commitments made at COP26 are put into effect.

Yours, in hope,

The COP 26 Interfaith Working Group and Scottish religious leaders

The Right Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly, The Church of Scotland
Sheikh Hassan Rabbani, Chair of Scottish Muslim Forum
Acharya Ji Mishra, Priest of Hindu Mandir Glasgow
Rev Bonnie Evans-Hills, Priest, Scottish Episcopal Church
Revd Paul Whittle, Synod Moderator, National Synod of Scotland, The United Reformed Church
Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbot, Kagyu Samye Ling
Sr Isabel Smyth OBE, Catholic Bishops’ Interreligious Dialogue Committee
Baha’i Community of Scotland
Muslim Council of Scotland
Richard Murray, Chairperson, Eco-Congregation Scotland
Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland
Alistair Dutton, Director, SCIAF
Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Chair, Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network, Sikh Representative, Scottish Religious Leaders Forum, Advisor, Sikhs in Scotland
Dr Rose Drew, CEO, Interfaith Glasgow
Dr Maureen Sier, Director, Interfaith Scotland
Professor Joe Goldblatt, Chair, Edinburgh Interfaith Association
Olivia Fuchs, Coordinator, Eco Dharma
Robert Harrap, General Director, Soka Gakkai International – UK
Jill Kent, Chair, Justice and Peace Scotland
Elizabeth Allen, Clerk of General Meeting, Quakers in Scotland
Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, Chaplain, The University of Glasgow
Harjot Singh Kambo, Lead Coordinator Scotland, EcoSikhUK
Jonathan Baxter, Curator, A+E – Pilgrimage for COP26
Sister Mary McClure, Provincial Leader, Sisters of Notre Dame (British Province)
Christine Anderson, Faithful Companions of Jesus
William G Crook, The Order of Interbeing Plum Village Tradition
Aekus Kamboj, Environment Officer, CEMVO Scotland
David Somervell, Member, South Edinburgh Quaker Local Meeting
Mahrukh Adnan Shaukat, Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
The Iona Community
Glasgow Baha’i Community
Brahma Kumaris
Earth Holders Edinburgh
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC)

Supporting organisations
Shanon Shah, Director, Faith for the Climate
Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith
Rev Henrik Grape, Co-Chair, Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) to the UNFCCC

1.5 Degrees Celsius: A Reality Check

By CoP26

The UN published this chart on 4 November for delegates to Cop26.  It includes all the latest data from countries around the world on their plans to limit the emission of greenhouse gases in what are known as ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ or NDCs for short.  This goes to the heart of the Cop process and is the mechanism that lies behind the headlines.

The NDCs were introduced at Cop21 in Paris in 2015 requiring governments to set out every five years the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that they are prepared to commit to.  All signatories to the Paris agreement submitted their first NDCs five years ago and most but not all have now submitted new and revised NDCs summarised in this chart. There is some increase in ambition, but the chart shows just how far we are from the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. 

If we want to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, we should be following the pale blue track towards the bottom of the chart.  The reality is that present commitments are in the red band at the top of the chart resulting in warming of well over 2 degrees Celsius.   Current national commitments will stabilise emissions and maybe result in a small reduction but nothing like what is needed.

There is a second issue of whether the plans are credible and whether they can be implemented. The UK has an ambitious target of a 78% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2035. However, the UK Climate Change Committee has pointed out that this requires radical action every year from now until 2035, for example by replacing all gas fired central heating in homes across the UK with new low carbon technology such as heat pumps. Unfortunately, there is not much sign of such radical action yet.

The announcements made this week on limiting methane emissions and an end to coal mining are more encouraging but are not yet global in reach. So, as ever progress at the Cop is slow and painstaking.

COP26: First Impressions

By 2 commentsCoP26,

The road to Cop26 has been long and hard for some and not just metaphorically.

Pilgrims from Sweden and Germany started walking in August arriving in North Shields by ferry three weeks ago.

I met them and joined them for the last few rain soaked miles into Glasgow on Friday 29 October arriving for a memorable service of welcome and blessing in Glasgow Cathedral.

Walking with them for just a few days was a remarkable experience both to witness their commitment and to see how warmly they were greeted along the way.

In schools and churches and in towns and country children and adults responded with kindness and generosity and with a genuine sense of awe at their undertaking. It was the best kind of human endeavour.

Media coverage of their arrival in Glasgow was positive and the short final walk on Saturday from Glasgow Green to George Square well reported.

On the whole reporting of other walks, marches and protests has also been positive.

Greta Thunberg was seen with a group of admiring young people in a park in Govan, Greenpeace faced down a reluctant Clyde Port Authority by sailing up the Clyde uninvited and a picturesque small shoal of mermaids washed up outside the Scottish Events Centre, where the Cop is being held, to publicise Marine Rebellion.

Inside it’s a different story.

Visiting the ‘blue zone’ at the Cop yesterday where delegates and diplomats gather was like going into a huge corporate trade fair with governments from around the world vying with each other to present themselves and their carbon cutting credentials in the best possible light.

There is a lot of commercial sponsorship and a great deal of media and communications expertise on display. It’s all very shiny and bright but it does not feel good.

There is not the same sense of conviction or clarity as among the protesters or pilgrims outside.

I know there are great number of very good people doing their best on the government delegations (we have met some of them in recent months) but there is always a sense that most governments cannot commit to the changes that are needed and always have one foot on the brake, thinking of business interests, political popularity at home or national advantage.

The media reporting also carries a sense of scepticism: are governments and political leaders really committed to change, are their commitments credible and will they be put into effect?

It’s early days and the pattern of negotiations is not yet clear. But for now the protesters and the pilgrims have my vote.