AN environmentally friendly church in Welwyn has been highly commended for reducing it's carbon footprint and helping in the battle against climate change.

St Mary's in Church street received recognition in the Green Church Awards competition for dramatically cutting its carbon emissions from 44 tonnes a year to 1.5 tonnes a year.

The church has installed what is believed to be the first ground source heat pump system in England drawing heat from the Earth to keep it warm.

St Mary's has already exceeded the goal set by the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint campaign to reduce the church's carbon footprint nationally to 40 per cent by 2050.

Alan Winton, team rector of the Welwyn team ministry which includes St Mary's, said: "The project demonstrates that it is possible to heat a large listed historic building using renewable energy.

"I am thrilled that that the team of very able people here at St Mary's has been honoured. They have put their talents to work for the good of the church and community, and through their ingenuity and persistence, developed a solution that is clean and effective, working in harmony with God's creation."

  • What do you think of the climate change work carried out by St Mary's? What do you do to reduce your carbon footprint? Tell us below?