In 2022 the General Synod voted for the Church of England to reach net zero carbon by 2030. For most churches, heating is the single biggest source of carbon emissions, often accounting for more than 80% of the total. Reaching net zero almost always means replacing a fossil fuel heating system with an electric alternative.
The target applies to the whole Church of England, not to individual parishes by law, but dioceses are increasingly asking churches to demonstrate progress when applying for faculty approval or diocesan grants. A church planning heating work now should treat net zero compatibility as a serious factor in the decision, not because it is legally required but because it affects funding eligibility, faculty support and long-term running costs.