Championing Carbon Literacy

Introduction

Carbon Literacy training, a idea and movement by the Carbon Literacy Trust, leaves participants informed, empowered, inspired and ready to take positive actions which help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Groundwork Greater Manchester have been delivering the one-day Carbon Literacy course since 2020, recognising the value of citizen knowledge and and empowerment in the race to tackle climate change.

In an ever changing world, we don’t know exactly how the future will look, however we are confident that work and life will be different. By equipping people in the workforce with a baseline understanding of climate change and it’s drivers we are in a better position to meet Greater Manchester’s 2038 Net Zero goal.

That’s why we have:

  • Trained our full team, including our Board of Trustees, to become Carbon Literate
  • Been accredited as a Gold standard Carbon Literate Organisation
  • Committed to ensuring that every person on our employment and skills programmes receive Carbon Literacy training
  • Developed bespoke courses for local community groups and young people and integrated these into our support for communities
People in training

Who do we support with Carbon Literacy training?

Our L3 Award in Education and Training qualified trainers have developed bespoke Carbon Literacy courses for a variety of individuals and groups in different settings. In addition, we have a number of colleagues who can deliver Carbon Literacy – Train the Trainer, empowering others to deliver training within their own organisation.

Groundwork GM Carbon Literacy work

Our impact

In 2023 we trained over 250 people in Carbon Literacy and, so far in 2024 we have trained a further 120 people.

Each participant on the programme makes two pledges; one individual and one group. Here are a few extracts of pledges we’ve received:

My biggest contribution to my carbon footprint is food so I will try to buy food from local farms and butchers where I can and broaden my diet to include seasonal items.

Employment programme participant, aged 21-30

I’d like to explore if we can use the food waste for another purpose such as feedstock for animals, insects or bioenergy that we could sell or donate

Participant from large business

I will try and reduce my car use and walk shorter distances instead. I hope to make people working with me more aware of climate change.

Community participant, aged 41-50

Carbon Literacy Action Day & COP29

Carbon Literacy Action Day takes place on Thursday 14th November 2024 to coincide with COP29; an annual climate change summit where 189 world leaders unite to discuss the best ways to tackle climate change.

Groundwork Greater Manchester will be hosting a number of training sessions, showcasing how all climate actions matter.

We will be supporting the following groups and individuals during the week surrounding Carbon Literacy Day:

  • A group of girls from year 10 at Abraham Moss School in Manchester
  • People on our Medlock Valley and Green Job Pathfinder employment projects
  • A group of learners in HMP Forest Bank
  • Our Executive Team will be revisiting their pledges and discussing how they can inspire further change within Groundwork Greater Manchester