More than 4500 Catholic churches and schools in the UK have switched to renewable gas and electricity supplied by British Gas.
In one of the UK’s largest combined green energy contracts, the deal with energy procurement group Inter-diocesan Fuel Management (IFM) covers 2800 churches from 20 of the 22 Catholic dioceses in England and Wales, including landmarks such as Westminster (pictured), Nottingham and Plymouth Cathedrals.
The contract also covers more than 2200 schools, care homes and community centres across the country.
The Catholic church is now one of the largest single consumers of green gas certificates based on annual volume.
The volume of green gas and electricity to be supplied by British Gas Business is equivalent to supplying the annual needs of more than 20,000 UK households.
British Gas Business managing director Gab Barbaro said: “We commend IFM and the Catholic church for their desire to take the lead on renewable energy adoption, and hope that others will follow.
“We’re seeing more and more organisations looking to switch to both renewable gas and electricity, particularly given the recent ‘net zero’ commitment made by government.
“This contract demonstrates that it is becoming easier than ever to cut carbon emissions from our public and private sector buildings.”