It's released a special report which says a house is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10% of its income (including Housing Benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.
The Church claims that the trend of rising domestic energy prices has created spiralling heating and lighting bills for householders.
It has also raised concern over the need to have environmentally friendly ways to heat homes and suggested that those on limited incomes are often unable to take this into consideration.
The Church is worried that the adverse impacts of climate change fall almost exclusively on the poorest people on our planet.
**FACTBOX**
Problems the Church of Scotland wants to address:
- high prices in the domestic energy market
- poor energy efficiency in many of our houses and their heating systems
- poverty, especially in rural areas
- adverse effects on the physical and mental wellbeing of those suffering fuel poverty
The Church says: "Our approach to Fuel Poverty is rooted in our faith.
"At its simplest God's desire for justice and care for our fellow human beings is emphasised throughout the Old and New Testaments."
The modern concept of Fuel Poverty goes back no further than the last quarter of the 20th century, but the underlying problem clearly goes back to biblical times.
"Leviticus 14 deals with the problem of damp housing (with a clear role for the faith community).
"In Exodus 22:26-27, provision is made for a debtor who has given his cloak as surety for a loan to ensure that he/she does not suffer from the cold as a consequence."
"When James is seeking an example of failing to translate faith into action, he pictures those who ask God's blessing on those who lack what is needed to keep themselves warm while doing nothing about it."
The Church of Scotland is pushing for change, but it says communities need to look towards local schemes as well as a top-down government approach.
