Heritage Now

HERITAGE NOW (01/2021) AUTUMN 2021   27 COMMENT A regular look at technical issues facing buildings. This issue will explore the latest developments as the church strives to change its rules to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Few can argue that the Church of England’s plans to achieve net-zero by 2030 are both admirable and ambitious. Its commitment to the cause has resulted in reams of useful online guidance and practical advice aimed to change behaviours and reduce bureaucracy, while remaining flexible in finding sensible solutions to tough problems. There is no doubt however that the challenge to balance the amount of greenhouse gas produced against the amount removed from the atmosphere is colossal − a consequence, in the main, of envi- ronmentally defying building stock and antiquat- ed infrastructures. As ever, when faced with such difficult decisions, sceptics will surface asking [im]pertinent questions such as whether or not such determined aims are viable? How much will it cost? Who will pay? And, what will be the effect on the buildings themselves? The doubters do have a point. So far, beyond gen- eral advice and support, the Church has offered no real monetary initiatives or legal support in order to grease the wheels of change. In light of the fact that heating is on average 83 per cent of the car- bon footprint of church buildings, some focus on this activity in particular would appear to be both overdue and welcome. The great challenge that churches face in reducing carbon is funding. The principal that parishion- ers themselves will be creative and resourceful in raising funds may well be the downfall of the drive to net-zero. Without money (and the expertise it buys) well-meaning and dutiful churchwardens may bolt at the thought of leaving their comfort- able armchairs to explore feasibility options of bio-mass and ground source heat pumps or weigh up the benefits between pressurised or naturally vented systems. If funding is a minefield worth sidestepping then so are the difficulties for the amateur to negotiate the thorny rulebook of Ecclesiastical Exemption, that is the legal process relating to managing change to historic buildings which provides the same standards of protection as the secular sys- tem operated by local planning authorities. How- ever, in July 2021 some changes to faculty rules were proposed which aims to make the process of change more palatable and realistic. For example, for many years it had been common- place to replace heating systems, without much consultation with the diocese advisory commit- tee (DAC), through a process known as List B – whereby work can be carried out without a faculty but subject to some consultation. One way of tightening the rules in order to meet the net-zero objectives is to reduce the number of applications that sail through under this List B system by clarifying what does and does not need a faculty. By doing this the DAC and its advisors will have a stronger voice in evaluating contributionary fac- tors such as the choices of systems available and understanding how change will affect the carbon output and the building’s aesthetic. Proposed changes also suggest making a higher regulatory body to approve change. To remove an automatic approval system for like- for-like gas/oil systems for example seems emi- nently sensible. Yet, arguably more could be done to ease the passage of quick win carbon reduction interventions, consequently proposals to change faculty rules thankfully extend beyond heating. Insulation in roofing is an important consideration as are carpets on the floor, soft furnishings which help retain body heat and produce no carbon what- soever and the practicality of heating each wor- shipper or smaller spaces rather than the whole building. These could constitute List B applica- tions alongside renewables on unlisted buildings outside of conservation areas, low energy lighting, draft proofing, electric car charging points and shallow cable trenches, thereby having a quick and easy transition from theory to practicality. These proposals will be considered by the Rule Committee in autumn 2021, and taken to General Synod as soon as practicable. It is fair to point out that efforts to reduce carbon load are not confined to just the Church of Eng- land. Indeed, the Epiphany Declaration for Fossil Free Churches reflects the cross-denomination commitment to divest itself from fossil fuels, although it seems that the Church of England has a greater urgency by committing to an earlier deadline. In November the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 takes place in Glasgow. All work to increase momentum to tackle climate change on religious and ethical grounds will be welcomed by governments. Let’s hope that the ac- tions by all church denominations to add no more carbon to the atmosphere than we take away is a feasible and practical aspiration. ——————