May 2023

The United Church of Canada’s 2021-2022 Sustainability Report 

The United Church of Canada is Deepening Climate Integrity. The United Church of Canada’s 2021-2022 Sustainability Report highlights the Church’s commitment to climate, ecological, and social justice, and showcases the incredible work communities of faith are doing across the country. With a new emissions reduction target of 80% by 2030, keystone programs like Faithful Footprints and Kindred Works are accelerating carbon reduction.

This report includes a new climate pillar called Responding to Climate Impact in addition to the previous three: Putting Our House in Order, Raising Our Spirited Voices, and Connecting With the Earth.

Deepening Climate Integrity is a testament to the Church’s dedication, resilience, and creativity in problem-solving and finding solutions; it reflects hope for a flourishing future society that includes all.

Report prepared by Faithful Footprints with input from United Church staff and members across Canada.

Monthly Highlight 

Illustration by Neil Webb

The United Church has an ambitious climate goal — but it needs help from congregations

National Media Article by Broadview Magazine

In 2016, the United Church commissioned a study of its carbon footprint and found that heating and lighting its buildings produced an estimated 135,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year — 42 percent of its total emissions. Two years later, the United Church launched Faithful Footprints. The program has since distributed $3 million for LED lighting, insulation, new windows, heat pumps, solar panels and much more. To date, 159 churches have been approved for funding or completed projects, while finished projects have resulted in a net carbon reduction of 687 metric tonnes. 

Last July, The United Church of Canada set an ambitious target: cut its greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2030. It’s a necessary goal that accelerates the church’s previous commitment by 20 years — but it will be a challenge to meet. The United Church of Canada can’t reach its new target unless every congregation steps up.

Work Completed

Deer Park United Church (Toronto, ON)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of a boiler.

Lawrence Park United Church (Toronto, ON)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of the building automation system, and the replacement of a gas stove top with an electric stove top.

Robertson - Wesley United Church (Edmonton, AB)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of all lighting throughout the building with LEDs. 

Salisbury United Church (Sherwood Park, AB)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of over 100 fluorescent and incandescent lights from the 1980s in the Sanctuary, office, program and daycare areas of the church with LEDs; and the replacement of two parking lot street lamps. 

Inspiration 

Turn on the Lights Campaign: St. Paul’s United Fundraiser

Faithful Footprints Monthly Blogs are published the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

Getting support for a cause can be that much easier when people understand the direct impact their donations will make. St. Paul's United Church in Oakville, ON, was confident that their congregants could rise to the challenge and come up with a significant sum of money for their lighting retrofit through their Turn on the Light Campaign. Harold Devenne, team lead, points to several reasons why their approach proved successful. Read our latest blog, Turn on the Lights Campaign: St. Paul’s United Fundraiser.

Features: St. Paul's United Church (Oakville, ON)

Kindred Works partners with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto

Kindred Works is partnering with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto to help parishes that want to redevelop their properties to include mixed-income housing. Together they plan to create long-term, sustainable solutions to Canada’s housing crisis. 

Kindred Works is an independent company that redevelops and manages land on behalf of the United Church, its congregations and ecumenical partners, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Its goal is to upgrade church properties to include housing and shared spaces that are built to meet community needs and promote sustainability.

 Kanata United Church installs electric vehicle chargers 

Kanata United Church (Ottawa, ON) installed two new electric vehicle chargers this month. In addition to generous grants from The United Church of Canada Foundation and the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program Infrastructure Program delivered by Hydro Ottawa, Kanata United Church received a loan through Sustainable Capacity Foundation and Greening Sacred Spaces Ottawa's Faithfully Green Fund to make this possible. 

KAIROS Climate Action Week 

KAIROS Canada is hosting three Climate Action Weeks in 2023 under the theme Decolonizing Climate Action with a new focus each week. Each Climate Action Week will include events, resources, reflections, advocacy actions, and more! Join them for their first Climate Action Week, June 5-11 where they will focus on Centering Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and will demonstrate the integral role of Indigenous peoples’ teachings, knowledge, and ways of living in addressing climate change.   

From June 5-11, check the KAIROS blog daily for new content. You can also receive updates by email by subscribing to the KAIROS e-newsletter and selecting Ecological Justice as an area of interest. Follow #KAIROSClimateAction on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter too. 

Opportunities 

Citizens for Public Justice’s 60th Anniversary Celebration

Jun 1, 7:30 - 9:00 PM (ET) 

Holy Trinity TO (Church of the Holy Trinity)
19 Trinity Square, Toronto, ON, M5G 1B1

Join Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) as they celebrate 60 years of being “inspired by faith to act for justice!”. The celebration will reflect on historic milestones, key partnerships, and what the next 60 years might hold for Citizens for Public Justice. Hear from current and former staff, Board members, and partners as they reflect on the theme of intergenerational advocacy. 

This will be an in-person event, with the option to join remotely via Zoom. Registration is required to receive Zoom details.

Climate Action Dialogues: Indigenous and Global South Perspectives on Just Transition 

June 7, 12:00 - 1:30 PM (ET)

Join KAIROS and For the Love of Creation (FLC) at Climate Action Dialogues: Indigenous and Global South Perspectives on Just Transition. Learn from Indigenous and Global South voices about principles for a just transition that support equity, climate justice, and an economy of life. Discuss how we amplify these principles in our local climate actions and advocacy efforts. Speakers include: Noble Wadzah from Oil Watch Ghana/Oil Watch Africa, and Bryanna Brown from Indigenous Climate Action. 

Explore the Program 

Explore projects and energy results of Faithful Footprints participating faith-communities