Posted on: 9th October 2025

The Yorkshire North and East District has celebrated the successful completion of ‘Building Sustainable Hope’, a £1.1 million decarbonisation project that the district has been running alongside the wider Methodist Church’s commitment to climate justice and net-zero by 2030.

‘Building Sustainable Hope’ has enabled 20 churches to significantly reduce their carbon footprint through the installation of sustainable technologies. To mark the occasion, a special service was held on the 26 September at Northallerton Methodist Church.

In 2020, the Yorkshire North and East District set a net-zero carbon target of 2040. This timeline reflected the scale of change required across the largely rural district. With local synod support, the leadership team laid out a realistic yet ambitious roadmap, confident they could meet the pledge while aligning with the wider Methodist Connexion’s goal of 2030.

The first priority was a comprehensive district-wide assessment of building emissions. This was intended to maximise carbon savings in the early years to ease the load over the next two decades. Funding and resources were secured for detailed energy audits pinpointing the issues that needed attention and the solutions, including insulation upgrades, LED lighting installations, and the installation of solar panels and batteries.

In 2023, Tim O'Brien was appointed as the district’s first Net Zero Officer. His role, funded by the Benefact Trust, was to improve building sustainability, refine the energy procurement and increase environmental awareness among the church users.“By pooling our resources and expertise, we’ve not only lightened the load for volunteers but built lasting relationships with funders and suppliers,” says Tim. “This collaborative approach drives faster progress and shows what faith communities can achieve when they work as one.”

The district-led initiatives, Tea and PV, Net-Zero Near You and Building Sustainable Hope, involved 31 churches, with a dozen more pursuing improvements independently. Together, these efforts covered about a quarter of the buildings that required upgrades. Grants, such as the York and North Yorkshire Net-Zero Fund, led by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority with UK Government investment, fueled projects like 'Building Sustainable Hope' along with district, circuit, and church funds. Listed buildings were another area that required attention with each historic church requiring painstaking planning and clear communication with conservation authorities.

The early adopters set some inspiring examples. Killinghall Methodist Church near Harrogate and Sewerby on the Yorkshire coast have largely decarbonised their premises with larger sites such as Portholme in Selby, Poppleton and Acomb in York, and Northallerton are following suit.

The need for environmental stewardship resonates with the church members. Some view creation care as an expression of discipleship. Others appreciate the financial relief that energy savings bring.

The district will continue delivering retrofits, with a focus on manses and churches in the city of Hull and partnering with local community organisations to maximise the social benefits of sustainable buildings in areas of deprivation.

The ultimate goal of the project extends beyond decarbonisation. The district want to share the green energy they produce with their neighbours, underlining their commitment to serving community needs. At Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough 91 solar panels have been installed with the support of Knaresborough Community Energy. If successful, this pioneering model will provide cleaner, cheaper local power while reducing the need for costly high-voltage infrastructure, benefiting both our neighbourhoods and the national grid.

The Revd Leslie Newton, Chair of the Yorkshire North and East Methodist District, commented, “Through our 'Building Sustainable Hope' project, the District has been taking important steps on our journey to Net Zero, affirming that caring for creation and caring for communities go hand in hand. By working together, churches have been able to reduce their carbon footprint and created greener, more welcoming spaces that serve both congregations and their neighbours. Every step forward makes a real difference and shows what is possible when faith and action come together.”

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