What is the impact on the environment of the activities in and around Rochester Cathedral? Here we assess the consumption of water, electricity and gas, minimising the generation of waste, and the benefits to the local environment in the day-to-day activities of worship, welcome and upkeep.

Gas

The nave and the first floor of the east end are heated by three gas-fired warm air heaters commissioned in the 1970s and 1980s. Gas is also used by three hot water boilers servicing the toilet facilities. In a typical year, over 350,000 kWh of gas are used to heat and provide hot water to the Cathedral, and over 72,000 kWh are used by the Cathedral offices. This is a combined CO2e* of 130 tonnes, or the equivalent of heating 48 average UK households. Electric battery heaters and plant commissioned in 2016 provide warm air to the crypt.

Replacement components and regular servicing have kept the ageing gas plant relatively efficient, although their replacement with electric heaters is a priority for a carbon neutral ambition. The Cathedral has undertaken two surveys this year to assess energy consumption and efficiency. A survey of heating plant has been commissioned by the Rochester Cathedral Trust, with the aim of replacing ageing gas-fired heating components. A further study has been conducted as part of the Church of England Net Zero Carbon Church Initiative.

*CO2e or Carbon Dioxide equivalent is the measure of greenhouse cases emitted by a kWh of electricity consumption, data from…

Electricity

Until very recently, the Cathedral has used around 240,000 kWh of electricity in a typical year in its lighting, operation and in heating the crypt. This is the equivalent electricity usage of around 83 average UK households, with a carbon footprint of over 55 tons of CO2e*. A significant portion of this was used by the Cathedral's outdated lighting system, a patchwork of aged fluorescent and theatre lights.

The extensive new LED lighting system commissioned in April this year is more controllable and efficient, dramatically reducing the average daily electricity usage as well as lighting the Cathedral far more effectively. Plans to replace gas plant with electric heating is likely to increase the electricity consumption in heating the Cathedral and offices. To reduce net consumption, the feasibility of using solar power on a portion of the Cathedral’s ample roof space is being explored. [St Nicks roof]

Water

Four principal toilet facilities are provided on site for staff, volunteers and visitors. The Cafe area includes a kitchennette and several basins are provided around the Cathedral and offices for use by staff and volunteers and in catering for visitors, flower arranging and other activities. The Cathedral Gardeners care for over 2 acres of gardens for which the effective use of water is critical.

All of the Cathedral toilet facilities have been refurbished in the past 15 years, with motion sensors and modern cisterns reducing water consumption compared to older plumbing. Water butts gather rainwater for use by the Gardeners to reduce consumption, and use of sprinkler systems is restricted. Use of rainwater has recently been extended to the flower arrangers to further reduce consumption. Regular maintenance and upcoming works to the ageing water mains connections around the north side of the Cathedral should have the benefit of reducing waste. The Cathedral could more effectively monitor water consumption with the installation of a water meter.

Waste

Waste is generated by staff, volunteers and visitors through the activities on the Cathedral floor, offices, and Crypt Cafe. In a typical week, over 50 sacks of general waste are disposed of at the Cathedral, enough to fill two 1100L containers. A further two 1100L containers of mixed recycling are collected, with separate recycling collections for glass and paper waste from the office. A skip is filled as required for larger items such as furnishings or building materials, when this cannot be donated or sold.

Combined general waste and recycling bins have been placed around the Cathedral to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfills. The vast majority of office waste is paper and is collected for recycling. In recent years procedures for minimising printing and paper waste have been introduced. Green waste produced in the gardens is responsibly composted. The flower arrangers have recently switched to biodegradable products and where possible opportunities for decreasing waste will continue to be explored.

Transport

In a typical year, around 50 members of staff work with over 300 volunteers to host over 200,000 visitors. [Food and visitors, etc…] Whilst a new multistory car park has added much-needed car parking space in Rochester, frequent road congestion throughout the busy Medway Towns decreases air quality and increases travel times.

The new Rochester Railway Station opened at the end of 2015 was an enourmous investment in improving the travel infrastructure of Rochester, also hosting bike racks and a bus stop connecting with nearby Chatham bus station (itself redeveloped in recent years). A park and ride to the west of the station provides for coach parties. Rochester now boasts excellent rail, bus and cycle links, and opportunities to encourage these over driving will continue to be explored. New bike racks will be installed at the Cathedral this year.

See our Getting Here page for local transport links.

Conservation

The Cathedral Precinct consists of over 2 acres of gardens and outside spaces within the heavily urbanised Medway Towns, many with a history stretching back as long as the Cathedral Priory established at the end of the 11th century. Records of mowing the Cloister Garth lawn extend back to the monks Priory. This space is maintained for the benefit of viitors and the local environment. The Old Deanery Garden features a diverse array of trees and shrubs. King’s Orchard has been maintained for centuries, and today is the centre of much of the activitiy in the gardens.

The Cathedral gardeners maintain the three primary outdoor spaces with an ethos of biodiversity and an appreciation of the benefits they provide to the local environment. Kings Orchard hosts two bee hives and a series of bug hotels to boost pollination in the area. Half an acre of the space has been set aside as a maintained meadow to boost biodiversity in the area.

Read more about the conservation efforts of the Cathedral Gardeners in How green are the Cathedral Gardens?

We have put together a list of sustainability resources that inform on issues of conservation and practical steps we can all take to live and work sustainably.

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