The Church of England is hiring a £40,000-a-year "net zero carbon manager" whilst facing a deficit of more than £62million across its dioceses.
The Diocese of Lichfield has advertised the role to help implement "carbon reduction measures" as part of the Church's target to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The role offers generous benefits including a 35-hour work week with seven-hour days - and an hour for lunch.
The successful candidate will receive 36 days' holiday annually, a 12 per cent employer pension contribution and life assurance.
The Diocese of Lichfield has advertised the role to help implement 'carbon reduction measures' as part of the Church's target to become carbon neutral by 2030
PA
Working on a hybrid home-office basis, they will oversee carbon reduction across 550 churches, 300 clergy homes, Lichfield Cathedral, an office and two retreat centres.
The position requires someone "passionate about the environment" with experience improving building energy efficiency.
But it comes as many parishes struggle with dwindling funds and soaring maintenance costs for ancient buildings.
The Lichfield Diocese itself faces "diminishing financial resources" with a deficit of almost £2.27million according to its latest accounts, a new report in The Times reveals.
The wider Church's finances show a troubling trajectory - a report to the General Synod last month revealed dioceses are experiencing a "deteriorating picture".
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A report to the General Synod last month (pictured) revealed dioceses are experiencing a 'deteriorating picture' and soaring deficits
PA
Aggregate underlying diocesan operating deficits of £29million in 2022 are expected to more than double to £62million in 2024 when the year's full accounts emerge.
The Synod has agreed to prioritise parish funding in response to these challenges, with many struggling to reduce their carbon footprint due to financial constraints.
Some churches have been granted permission to continue using fossil-fuel boilers because they simply cannot afford eco-friendly alternatives.
A source from the Lichfield diocese noted: "Parishes that have received net zero support often see massive falls in their energy bills."
Despite this potential for savings, the upfront costs remain prohibitive for many congregations with limited resources.
The Church has earmarked approximately £190million between 2023 and 2031 to reduce carbon emissions across its properties.
Charles Wide KC, in a Policy Exchange report, warned the Church was wasting money on 'historically uninformed' funds
CONSERVATIVEHOME
Meanwhile, the Church Commissioners - who control a staggering £10.4billion of investments - have created a £100million reparations fund linked to historical slave trade connections.
Said fund has taken heavy flak from think tank Policy Exchange, which published a report describing it as "poorly justified, historically uninformed and overall inadvisable".
Charles Wide KC, co-author of the report, warned that such decisions have "contributed to an ongoing breakdown of trust" between Church leadership and parishes.
In August, the Rev Giles Goddard, who masterminded the net zero campaign, suggested giving parishioners blankets instead of heating churches.
A Church of England spokesman defended the net zero target as "part of its wider commitment to safeguard all of God's creation".
