1. Have your Governing Body Make a Public Commitment to Conserve Energy
* When church leaders make a public commitment, they are more likely to change behavior.
* Publicize this commitment. Let your members know about it!
2. Choose an Energy Steward
* Without making energy an individual’s job, conservation slips through the cracks.
* The Steward can model/enforce new energy habits.
* Make a brief monthly report to the Governing Body until conservation is a habit
* The Steward should establish a baseline for energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to the baseline, oversee energy education of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.
3. Establish a Baseline and a Target for your Energy Use
* Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’ve saved energy.
* Gather your past two years’ energy bills.
* Compare the monthly energy usage figures (not cost) to previous periods.
* Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful that seasonal variation from year to year is inevitable.
* Aim for a 10% reduction in relation to the baseline during your first year.
4. Identify Energy Conservation Measures
* See www.greenfaith.org for hints.
5. Evaluate Results, Praise and Publicize, take Next Steps
* Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmental impact.
* Report results – financial and environmental. Remember – you’re educating about good stewardship and the link between energy, the environment, and financial responsibility.
* Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper stating that your church is a leader in energy conservation.
* Show that your church believes care for the earth is a religious value.
For more help on environmental stewardship, see the "Green Faith" web page. CLICK HERE
