Submission deadline for 2025 data: Tuesday 30 June 2026
The Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is now open for you to record your 2025 energy data, covering the period 1 January – 31 December 2025. Submitting your data to the EFT usually takes less than an hour to complete, and anyone in your parish who has access to your energy bills can do it, including your treasurer, churchwarden, administrator or PCC member responsible for buildings or finance.
Why the Energy Footprint Tool matters
This year’s EFT campaign from the Church of England is Footprints for Creation. In this video, the team at Hexham Abbey talk about their experiences of completing the EFT, and the benefits that it has brought.
Completing the EFT is part of our shared journey towards net zero: it’s an unseen but essential act of caring for God’s people and creation. Each year’s energy data builds a clearer picture of our collective carbon use and helps us to act more strategically together.
As well as our joint commitment and mission to care for creation, completing your EFT has the following, practical benefits for your church:
- Gain a clear, detailed picture of how and when your energy is being used
- Identify where you may be wasting energy, improve efficiency and make smart changes that could lower your energy bills
- Unlock access to funding – completing your EFT is now essential for applying for net zero funding from national church, as well as in-kind support
- Take a measurable step forward towards your Eco Church award
What you need to do
To complete your EFT, you will need:
- Your utility bills for 1 January – 31 December 2025 for whichever fuel you use (e.g., gas, electricity, oil)
- Basic details about your building(s)
To submit your data, log on to the Parish Returns portal, Parish Returns Online.
When you have entered your data, you will receive a report detailing your building’s carbon footprint, as well as a simple assessment of its efficiency.
Help and support
In this video, the Net Zero Advisor for the Diocese of Canterbury walks through the steps you need to complete.
You will also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the Church of England website, The Energy Footprint Tool | The Church of England.
If you need support with your return, contact the diocese Net Zero Carbon Officer, Jarrod Hill, jarrod.hill@salisbury.anglican.org. He will also be in contact with each parish/benefice over the coming weeks to provide support and guidance.