Basic Certificate Award Criteria
The Basic Certificate is the first award in our program, and introduces you to some action in the five leaf areas. You should complete the Basic Certificate or Eco-Worship Award first to move on to the advanced level awards.
Earning the Basic Certificate is easy, there are just seven steps:
Eco Church Building
Step One:
Conduct an Energy Audit
At this stage, this does not need to be professional energy audit, just a simple survey by a member of your church.
To make it simpler for congregations, we are developing a new Simple Energy Audit Checklist. Please assist us by beta-testing this resource, and letting us know your feedback – including how easy it was to use, and how long the checklist took you to complete.
Electronic or Printable version (Word doc 279kb)
Step Two:
Take three actions to reduce your resource use.
For example:
Change to more efficient lights (CFL’s, LEDs)
Install timers on hot water units
Seal up drafts to keep heat in
Switch to GreenPower
Install a water tank
Switch to 100% post-consumer recycled paper
Step Three:
Run two behaviour change campaigns.
Advertise how to use your new compost scheme
Put reminders to switch lights off above switches
Remind people to report leaks
Print the church newsletter in duplex (both sides)
To Enter Provide Evidence of:
- audit conducted
- 3 energy reduction measures
- 2 behaviour change campaigns
Eco Congregation
Step Four:
Provide at least two resources for members of your church to take action in their own lives outside the church.
Some of the things you can do include:
Providing regular tips on being environmentally friendly in the church notice sheet or newsletter
Establish a church environmental group
Conduct or promote a sustainability workshop
Organise a carpool to church
To Enter:
Send in copies of the two resources provided.*
*Tips in newsletters can only count once
Eco Worship
Step Five:
Conduct a worship service around the environment
Some things you can do:
– Sing songs with an environmental theme
– Use native flowers in the flower arrangements
Have a sermon on:
– Consumerism
– Creation
– Creation Care
– Creation’s Redemption
Use a video or DVD on any environmentally friendly topic
For resources to get started see the Season of Creation website or contact your state or national church leadership to see what resources they have available.
To Enter:
Send in your order of service
Eco Outreach
Step Six:
Conduct one ‘green’ event.
For example:
Organise a meeting of church representatives to visit your local MP on an environmental issue.
– Have a ‘Green Film Night’
– Hold a panel discussion or debate on an environmental issue
– Host a community event with an environmental theme
– Organise a forum for the local community on an environmental issue
– Conduct a letter writing night at your church
To enter:
Send in a record of your event
Community Leadership
Step Seven:
Conduct a special project to demonstrate your commitment.
For example, Port Melbourne Uniting Church (VIC) created an organic community garden.
To Enter:
Send in an outline of your project
Checklist for submission
1. Copy of your energy audit
2.Evidence of 3 resource use reduction measures
3. Evidence of 2 behaviour change campaigns
4. Copies of the two resources for the congregation
5.Copy of the Order of Service for the Eco-Worship Service
6. Evidence of your eco- event
7. Outline of your project
Want to see how it’s done? Click here to read about how Port Melbourne Uniting Church earned their Basic Certificate:
Five Leaf Basic Certificate Example Port Melbourne
Once you have completed the above steps, please include your responses in this form:
2016 Five Leaf Eco-Awards Full Assessment of Application Form PDF (237kB)
Or just send us a list of what your church has done.
Interested in doing more?
Five Leaf Eco-Awards 