North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL) is a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches’ Eco-Justice Connection initiative.
NCIPL core programs 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. NCIPL programs 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.
NCIPL is the only North Carolina-based statewide organization that works on addressing the ecological and justice issues of climate change as a faith-based initiative.
Mission & History
NCIPL is foremost a hope-filled response to the issues of climate change.
NCIPL connects the faith voice of North Carolina around climate change, encouraging mitigation of the effects and resilient communities through its programs and engaging in the public policy process by advocacy with compassion. We speak for what we love and take action for the future of our children and the children of all species.
NCIPL is a program 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 became North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, the 16th state affiliate of the national organization, IPL.
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.
NCIPL Partners
Interfaith Power & Light
NC Conservation Network
Southeast Climate & Energy Network
US Climate Action Network
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 Comprehensive Energy Program for Congregations – emPOWERed – is designed 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!