York Minster goes for gold

Following years of focusing on the sustainability aspects of how the building functions, a Gold Eco Church Award has been given to one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful buildings.

A prime example of the Minster’s efforts is the recent installation of 184 solar panels on its roof, now generating 70,000kWh – a third of the Minster’s power requirements.

As well as the solar panel scheme, the estate has created the Minster Gardens and College Green spaces in the city centre; retrofitted the refectory using sustainable technology; built the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management; and has installed air source heat pumps and rainwater capture across the precinct.

The award is the highest level of the Eco Church programme, operated by A Rocha UK, a charity that looks to help churches with their environmental credentials.

Previously, the Minster was awarded a bronze award in 2016 and silver in 2017, and the cathedral’s Vision and Strategy for 2030 document has pledged to establish York Minster as a low carbon heritage estate.

This is included in the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted in 2022.

Alex McCallion, director of works and precinct at York Minster, said: “Our adopted Neighbourhood Plan has helped us make significant changes in a restrictive heritage environment, working collaboratively with City of York Council and Historic England.

“Climate change poses a substantial long-term threat to the fabric of York Minster and the Precinct and so our sensitive interventions, balanced against the significance of the Minster and its estate, becomes increasingly important as we get close to 2030 – the ambitious net zero target set by both City of York Council and the Church of England.