We promote a variety of solutions to mitigate future climate change, including energy efficiency and conservation, increased renewable energy use, and collective low-carbon lifestyle changes. EJC encourage congregations, clergy, and judicatories to be aware and able to articulate the moral dimensions of climate change and environmental justice issues from a faith perspective.
The volunteer-led Energy Working Groups (EWG) are supported by NC Council of Churches Eco-Justice Connection (EJC).
Ways to Take Action
Become a Cool Congregation!
Join the many faith communities across the nation that take seriously the call from their faith to care for their neighbor by caring for our common home. They are using Interfaith Power & Light’s unique Cool Congregations stewardship program resources to reduce the climate change emissions from their facilities, help their members reduce emissions at home, and serve as a leader in the wider community. Become a cool congregation!
NCIPL’s Energy Working Group has partnered with Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) to help faith communities establish energy use baselines and provide worship facility workshops to suggest possible ways congregations can save money and energy. Get your energy savings analysis here!
NCIPL Resources
Solar Best Practices for Congregations
Review our Solar Best Practices for Congregations resource, packed with practical tips, a guide to help your congregation through the process, and all the inspiration you need to help your faith community go solar! Join the green movement, reduce your carbon footprint, and let the sun power your faith in action.
Advocacy Toolkit: Advocate with Compassion
The work of “Advocating with Compassion” is the faithful work of justice. This work is grounded in our values, faith traditions, spiritualities, and the work of countless colleagues who have committed themselves to doing climate activism in a more just way.
Mission & History
NCIPL served as a state-affiliate to the national Interfaith Power & Light network from 2005-2025. The program was launched as part of the North Carolina Council of Churches, which was founded in 1935. The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to individually and collectively impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion, and peace.
NCIPL began as a committee of the Council in May 2000 under the leadership of Sr. Evelyn Mattern. Originally called the “Climate Connection: Interfaith Eco-Justice Network,” the initiative grew to a full program of the Council working throughout the state with communities from all faith traditions on issues related to global warming. In 2005, the Climate Connection changed it’s name to become North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, the 16th state affiliate of the national organization, IPL.
In January, 2025 the national IPL office closed and a network steering committee led by selected state affiliate members took over all communications for the IPL brand. Read official announcement.
As of June, 2025 NC Council of Churches has regenerated all of its creation care programming as “Eco-Justice Connection” (EJC) initatives and continues to stay connected with local, regional, national, and international networks working on the issues and impacts of the global climate crisis.
Interfaith Power & Light Network
Southeast Climate & Energy Network
