NOT many places of worship generate its own electricity.

But Bradford Cathedral does. Not only that, but the congregation know how much power is being produced. A digital screen on an internal wall at the historic building alerts regular worshippers and visitors to how much solar power has been generated as well as the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved.

“Having a visual display makes a difference,” says Reverend Mandy Coutts, the Cathedral's residentiary canon for mission and pastoral development, "People can come and see what we are about - they can see the display straight away as they come in.”

The electricity has been generated by solar panels fitted four years ago to the south aisle roof, covering an area of 70 square metres (753sq ft). Permission to fix the £50,000 installation on the Grade l-listed building was granted by English Heritage and the Cathedrals’ Fabric Commission for England.

Five years ago, the cathedral became the first in the north of England to receive Eco Congregation status for its efforts to be green and reduce its carbon footprint.

The prestigious accreditation ran for three years, when a second application was also successful. A third will be submitted next year, when the staff at the cathedral will demonstrate how eco-links are being made with the wider community.

“We believe that we are the first cathedral in the country to be working towards a third award,” says Mandy. “Each time you need to show how you have progressed and developed what you are doing. This time we are looking at widening the net and communicating a message across the city and diocese.”

As part of this city-wide approach, Mandy has been liaising with the developers of Bradford’s new Broadway shopping centre, about each other’s work in reducing their carbon footprint.

Work in the precinct around the cathedral also carries a green theme. “We look to using sustainable products,” says Mandy. “When we replaced the decking outside the Cathedral, the wood was removed and taken to be reused elsewhere. And all the plants we lifted out were replanted at our homes. We are continually looking at what we can do - it is the detail that makes the difference."

Members of the congregation have formed an eco group made up of members of staff and volunteers, which works to improve the carbon footprint of not only the cathedral, but the homes within Cathedral Close, and also encourages the congregation to look at how they can help in their own homes.

“We encourage our congregation to do what they can, as we do here,” says eco group chairman Emma Towers. “We recycle as much as possible, and where possible we go for the greenest option when travelling, such as using public transport, or lift sharing.”

A stall laid out with Fairtrade products stands beside the cathedral shop, with an expanding range of foods on sale including pasta, rice, chilli sauce, biscuits, nuts, handwash and laundry products.

“Chocolate goes down well with the choir,” says Sandra Heaton, who runs the stall every Sunday after the 10.15am service, as well as at special services. “I tried to introduce some news lines to give people more awareness,” she says. Fair Trade coffee and tea as well as sugar and biscuits are served at the cathedral cafe.

Extra emphasis is placed on the stall during the annual Fairtrade Fortnight in February.

Lights within the building are fitted with low-energy bulbs or LED lighting - which, church officials say, is the way forward. Head verger John Howard says: “We are looking at updating the lighting and, where possible, installing LEDS as they use a lot less energy.”

He adds: “All our monitors are flat screen and turned off after use.”

The drive to be green reflects the Church of England’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by 42 per cent by 2020.

A composter turns green waste into feed for the gardens, while green cones break down food waste through natural processes, leaving only water, carbon dioxide and a little organic residue will be left.

The Dicocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales, which has an environment officer, takes an active interest in the cathedral’s work to become more sustainable and the success of the green initiatives are being closely watched by other places of worship around the country. In June, representatives from York Minster visited to seek advice. “We have been asked a lot of questions about it,” adds Mandy.

*Creation Cafe at Bradford Cathedral takes place on Saturday September 12, from 2pm to 3.30pm.