California Churches Move Toward
General Convention 81 Deputy the Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan and Alternate Deputy Miriam Casey from the Diocese of Northern California co-authored Resolution D050 to Complete the Journey to Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030.
“The resolution provides funding to create a resource for sharing information needed by churches to achieve the carbon reduction goal that was set by another resolution passed in 2022. We were very pleased that it was passed in 2024 by both Houses at General Convention 81, and received funding from the Executive Council Finance Committee,” said Casey.
The Diocese of Northern California is making great strides to achieve the goal of Carbon Neutral by 2030, with 39 churches developing project plans. Their 4-step process provides a roadmap for churches who want to embark on the journey to achieve carbon neutrality :
● form a church-based green team
● conduct a baseline carbon footprint assessment
● obtain an energy efficiency assessment
● use the results to create a project plan
They are also sharing the process with other Episcopal Dioceses, most recently with the Diocese of Chicago. In early 2025 there will be presentations at the Province VIII Creation Care Network to explain the 4-step process with special presentations by Colby May (Energy for Purpose) about the energy efficiency assessment and Bob Wohlsen, Project Manager for the Carbon Neutral 2030 effort in the Diocese of Northern California.
Photo 1: Colby May and members of the St. Paul’s-Benecia, California Green Team, at the 2024 energy efficiency audit.
Photo 2: Bob Wohlsen, promoting church-based Green Teams.
Photo 3: Incarnation, Santa Rosa. Colby May, Energy for Purpose; John Nykamp, Treasurer;
Miriam Casey, Green Team member and COE Convener; Steve Layton, Buildings and Grounds Chair
References:2022-A087 Commit to Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030