The Uniting Church WA Social Justice Unit has teamed up with the Uniting Church Vic Tas, urging people to write to their local MPs asking for a greater investment in housing energy efficiency upgrades for social housing and low-income households.
The Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Church WA have always held particular concerns about the most vulnerable in our community, as well as minimising impacts on the environment. A simple way to address both of these concerns is by ensuring that people in social housing can reduce their electricity and gas costs through the provision of energy-efficient housing design, materials and appliances.
Susy Thomas, the newly installed Moderator of the Uniting Church WA, said it is important for the church to speak up on this issue.
“As Christians, the Bible makes it clear that we are called to love our neighbour, care for the vulnerable in our community and challenge unjust systems,” she said. “As we recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 we are calling for Government stimulus measures that focus on positive impacts for both the environment and the most vulnerable in our community.”
The Uniting Church WA and Vic Tas have prepared a briefing paper resource to help with with letter writing.
It reads: “Ensuring low-income households have access to renewable energy (eg solar PV) would generate a significant additional economic and emissions reduction benefit, above that of energy efficiency measures alone.
“Given the dual crises of the economic impact of COVID-19 and climate change, energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy access for low-income households are a simple way to address both of these concerns. Significant numbers of jobs can be generated. Carbon emissions can be reduced. People in social housing can lower their electricity and gas costs through the provision of energy-efficient housing design, materials and appliances.”
Download the housing energy efficiency letter writing resource.