Certified Cool Congregations

Thank you for your interest in Cool Congregations!

Certified Cool Congregations wall plaques for four levels of accomplishment!

Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) and its 40 state affiliates encourage congregations of all faiths to save energy, go green, and respond to climate change.These exemplary houses of worship have proven that they are reaching significant carbon pollution reductions in response to global warming that often surpass the U.S. goal of 17% outlined by President Obama in his Climate Action Plan.Driven by a common mandate to be good stewards of Creation, the Certified Cool Congregations are averaging 42% greenhouse gas reductions, showing that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Their stories are both practical and hopeful. IPL founder, the Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, says, “These congregations are leading the way. They are putting their faith into action and bringing moral responsibility to the forefront of the movement to protect the climate.”The Certified Cool Congregations listed here are jointly preventing over 2.2 million pounds (1,000 metric tons) of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere every year. This is the equivalent of not burning one million pounds of coal every year, or preserving 820 acres of mature forest every year, or planting 25,000 trees every year, or asking Americans to drive 2.3 million miles less every year. And that’s just 20 congregations. The nation has 370,000 congregations.The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR estimates that if all of America’s congregations cut energy use just 20% it would save nearly $630 million per year, and prevent more than 2.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of eliminating emissions from 480,000 cars from the road. IPL heartily congratulates and thanks the Certified Cool Congregations for their inspiring efforts. Read the Certified Cool Congregations stories by clicking on their name to the right. Use the resources on this website to get started. When you’re ready to apply for certification, click here.

Download the “5 Steps to Becoming a Cool Congregation” handout here.

40% and above CO2 Reduction – Gold Medallion

Central Baptist Church

Wayne, PA Central Baptist Church is a Cool Congregation certified at the 40% level, saving 6 tons of carbon emissions ...
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Mountain View United Methodist Church

Mountain View United Methodist Church Boulder, Colorado Mountain View United Methodist Church has reduced their carbon footprint by 40% and ...
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Nativity Catholic Church

Burke, VA Nativity Catholic Church, a large congregation with 10,000 members has taken seriously the call from Pope Francis in ...
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Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship

Taftsville, VT Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship, a tiny church with only 55 members, has reduced the emissions from their worship ...
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Shalom Mennonite Church

Shalom Mennonite Church Joins Network of Solar Congregations Indianapolis, Indiana Shalom Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, Indiana has cut their emissions ...
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Church of the Brethren Modesto

Modesto, CA Gold Certified Cool Congregation, 40% carbon reduction As part of their Earth Stewardship mission, Church of the Brethren in ...
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Flagstaff Federated Community Church

Flagstaff, AZ Gold Certified Cool Congregation, 50% carbon reduction Solar power has slashed the cost of electricity at Federated Community ...
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St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church

Dover, MA Gold Certified Cool Congregation, 50% carbon reduction St. Dunstan’s in Dover, Massachusetts can be very chilly in the winter ...
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30% CO2 Reduction – Blue Medallion

Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas is an Interfaith Power & Light Certified Cool Congregation at the ...
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Niles Discovery Church

Fremont, CA This small congregation that is part of both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples ...
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St. Thomas ELCA Lutheran Church

Bloomington, IN Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction St. Thomas Lutheran Church has an ongoing commitment to Creation Care, and ...
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Central Union Church, Honolulu, HI

Honolulu, HI Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction Central Union Church, a historic landmark church in Honolulu, decided to become ...
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Emmanuel United Methodist Church

Laurel, MD Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction Emmanuel United Methodist Church is operating on 100% renewable energy, without solar, ...
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First Unitarian Church of Cleveland

Shaker Heights, OH Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction A large canopy over First Unitarian's parking lot provides shade over ...
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Salvisa Christian Church

Salvisa, KY Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction Salvisa Christian Church is a small, rural Green Chalice congregation, worshipping in ...
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Westminster Presbyterian Church

Knoxville, TN Certified Cool Congregation, 30% carbon reduction Electric power usage has a tremendous impact on our carbon footprint, especially ...
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