Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if she will hold discussions with the Church of England on the potential merits of heating church buildings with boilers that are compatible with hydrated vegetable oil.

The National Church Institutions, Cathedral and Church Buildings Department does not recommend that parish churches use hydrated vegetable oil for heating. They have issued the following advice available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/hydrogen-and-hydrotreated-vegetable-oils

All the Parochial Church Councils across England have been encouraged to undertake an energy audit as part of the commitment of the Church of England to reach net zero by 2030. The audit should be conducted on a church-by-church basis to identify the best local heating, insulation, and lighting solutions.

An energy audit enables informed decisions to find the most suitable technology to replace boilers, heating, lighting and insulation. It also allows the parish church to apply for grants from the National Church Institutions, which may be able to help a parish install new technology, equipment and materials to make their buildings more efficient to operate.

Details of the grants can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/net-zero-carbon-church/short-guide-grants-and-projects-help-your-church-get