Rochester Cathedral is committed to reaching Net Zero Carbon. Over the past few years the Cathedral has undertaken a number of initiatives to become more sustainable.

Silver Eco Church Award

In 2022 Rochester Cathedral was awarded a Silver Eco Church Award for our sustainability and conservation efforts.

Eco Church is a Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth. The overall aim of the Eco Church award scheme is to celebrate the ways that church communities have been engaging with caring for the earth as a key part of our Christian faith.

Reducing the impact on the environment at Rochester Cathedral

Gas

A survey of our heating plant has been commissioned by the Rochester Cathedral Trust with the aim of replacing ageing gas-fired heating components. Currently, in a typical year over 350,000 kWh of gas are used to heat and provide hot water to the Cathedral, and over 72,000 kWh are used by the Cathedral offices. This is a combined CO2e* of 130 tonnes, or the equivalent of heating 48 average UK households.

Electric battery heaters and plant commissioned in 2016 provide warm air to the crypt.

Electricity

Until very recently, the Cathedral has used around 240,000 kWh of electricity in a typical year for lighting and heating the crypt. This is the equivalent electricity usage of around 83 average UK households, with a carbon footprint of over 55 tons of CO2e. A significant portion of this was used by the Cathedral's outdated lighting system, a patchwork of aged fluorescent and theatre lights. Our new LED lighting system is more controllable and efficient, dramatically reducing the average daily electricity usage as well as lighting the Cathedral far more effectively. Plans to replace gas plant with electric heating is likely to increase the electricity consumption in heating the Cathedral and offices. To reduce net consumption, the use of an air source heat pump and solar panels on part of the Cathedral’s roof are being explored.

Water

All of the Cathedral toilet facilities have been refurbished in the past 15 years, with motion sensors and modern cisterns reducing water consumption. Water butts gather rainwater for use by the Gardeners to reduce consumption, and use of sprinkler systems is restricted. Regular maintenance and upcoming works to the ageing water mains connections around the north side of the Cathedral should have the benefit of reducing waste. The Cathedral could more effectively monitor water consumption with the installation of a water meter.

Waste

In a typical week, over 50 sacks of general waste are disposed of at the Cathedral, enough to fill two 1100L containers. The same amount of recycling is collected every week. Combined general waste and recycling bins have been placed around the Cathedral to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill. Procedures for minimising printing and paper waste have been introduced. Green waste produced in the gardens is responsibly composted.

Transport

In a typical week, over 50 sacks of general waste are disposed of at the Cathedral, enough to fill two 1100L containers. The same amount of recycling is collected every week. Combined general waste and recycling bins have been placed around the Cathedral to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill. Procedures for minimising printing and paper waste have been introduced. Green waste produced in the gardens is responsibly composted.

Rochester Cathedral Gardens

One of the jewels in our crown for our conservation efforts are our stunning gardens.

Our Gardeners have been working to improve the biodiversity of this urban space. They’ve Installed beehives to increase pollinators. A wildlife pond was created attracting wildlife including dragonflies. A wildflower meadow and trees are providing much needed space for wildlife to flourish.

Net Zero Carbon News

Discover some of our recent initiatives to reduce our carbon output and create a more sustainable Cathedral.