Useful Links: Carbon Literacy

The Carbon Literacy Project is a globally recognized initiative aimed at equipping individuals and organizations with the knowledge, motivation, and practical skills to take meaningful action on climate change. Recognized by the UN at COP21 as a Transformative Action Program (TAP100), it originated in Manchester and now operates internationally.

What is Carbon Literacy?
Carbon Literacy is the ability to understand climate change, communicate about it effectively, and take informed action in everyday life. It empowers people to make decisions that reduce carbon emissions at home, work, and in their communities.

How It Works:

• Training: Carbon Literacy courses represent a day’s worth of learning and cover climate science, impacts, and practical solutions.
• Certification: To be certified as Carbon Literate, participants pledge two actions—one individual and one group-based—to reduce carbon emissions.
• Delivery: Courses are tailored for different sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, local government), led by someone with knowledge of that sector and can be delivered in-person, online, or hybrid formats. It is also possible to use the standard to embed Carbon Literacy within other longer courses.

Key Initiatives:

• Carbon Literate Organizations: Recognizes businesses supporting staff in climate action.
• Carbon Literate Educators: Encourages schools, colleges, and universities to integrate Carbon Literacy.
• Carbon Literate Localities: Promotes collective action within communities.
• Carbon Literate Action Day (CLAD): Annual global training event aligned with UN COP meetings.

 
Why It’s Useful for FE Teachers:

• Helps embed sustainability into curricula and campus culture.
• Provides practical tools for engaging students in climate action.
• Supports institutional recognition through Carbon Literate Educator status.