Project Concept

This is a document in process. Please comment or bring ideas to the meetings. Thanks to Peter Follett for his facilitation work with our group.

Situation Analysis
There is a moral dilemma facing Christians around climate and creation. We are stewards of the earth, however we are conscious that how we live is damaging the planet. We cannot with clear conscience continue to live in this way: we have a moral responsibility to begin to abate our impact on our environment.

We are also conscious that, although a minority of citizens' attitudes are shifting, our cultural imperatives and political systems have long mitigated against a timely response to the environmental, economic and moral challenges we face.

Our intention is to be a force for environmental good in the Adelaide society. We want to have an influential voice that the government will recognize and hear. However for Government, and the wider population, to take our message seriously we must first get our own houses in order. The goal of this initiative is to create a situation where we can build that influence.

Project Statement:
As a result of this project by 31 December 2011 fifty churches in the Adelaide area will have eliminated their direct carbon footprint, in part by utilising Solar Power, and will be active in a coalition influencing moral views, social advancement and economic development toward a more sustainable human lifestyle.

Phases The project will be implemented in overlapping phases:

1. Pilot
To achieve a 'quick win' and set a standard and example for other churches and congregations the approach will be reserached and developed, with implementation first through the Blackwood and Uniting Churches (BBUC). As this pilot proceeds, the approach and outcomes will be communicated to other churches interested in this project. Lessons learned in the Pilot will enable improvements to the approach.

2. Church Expansion
As the Pilot progresses, or after it is completed, the lessons learned and the successes gained in the Pilot will be used to influence other churches to join the project, modify their energy consumption and reduce their carbon footprint.

3. Congregation Expansion
As the Pilot progresses, or after it is completed, the lessons learned and the successes gained in the Pilot will be used to influence BBUC congregation members other those of other churches joining the project to modify their energy consumption and reduce their personal carbon footprint.

4. Social Influence
The lessons learned and momentum from this project will provide leverage to motivated church goers to influence the SA government to adopt policies that will contribute to reducing the state's punbic and provate carbon footprints: government departments and organisations and domestic and commercial emissions.

Objectives

Pilot
Our goals for the pilot phase are that at the Blackwood and Belair Uniting Churches:

Church
1. The BBUC internal carbon footprints will have reduced to zero by using solar panels, solar water and green energy.
2. The direct financial cost of energy consumption will be equal to or less than of the BBUC through the 2008-09 financial year.

Congregation
A majority of BBUC congregation members’ will:
3. Understand the link between the BBUC operations and their personal lifestyle, and the financial costs and effects on the environment and climate of the consumption of energy and the sources and types of energy utilised.
4. Support the BBUC drive to eliminate their internal carbon emissions.
5. Be aware of feasible pathways toward reducing their personal energy costs and carbon footprint.

Social Influence
6. To build a critical mass of moral influence, to cause gov’t to adopt more climate friendly policies 7. Enable disadvantaged people to afford reducing their carbon footprint

Financial Viability
8. The approach will be financially viable so that at worst the developments will achieve financial break even within 10 years.

Project Approach

Moral Dilemma
Develop a succinct and persuasive ethical argument

Ethical Investment
Develop a moral + financial vision of the future: environmentally sustainable and financially viable.

Energy Audit
Find resources for auditing / reporting

Solar PVC Panels - Cost + Symbol
Where community can see them.
Get details of Gvt Subsidy Program
Seek tenders for 'bulk' purchase and installation
Who has best deal for feed in tariffs

Reduce Consumption
Develop methods for identifying effective behaviour change
Low hanging fruit
Harder gains

Solar Hot Water
Get details of Gvt Subsidy Program

Green Energy
Discover who sells 'green energy'
Obtain details of green energy rebate program.

Reduce Costs
Methods to calculate what cost- reduction required to break even

Financial break even
Develop business case spreadsheet, adaptable to different size churches.

Reduce Carbon Footprint
Specify obligations in return for receiving Government or other funding.
Bike Racks

Signage
Where community see it - Logo
Wording of sign = meaning
CO2 Meters
Panels = Symbol = not the solution but symbols of the solution
Catalyst for Community

Ethical Investment