Carbon Literacy is an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities. It considers the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.
So, what are the key benefits of becoming a Carbon Literate organisation, made up of Carbon Literate employees? Here’s what we consider to be the most important.
Knowledge:
Research from the British Chambers of Commerce revealed just 11% of businesses measure their carbon footprint. Yet over half know their customers are worried about climate change. When asked why, the main reason companies gave was lack of knowledge. Organisations simply don’t know how to calculate their carbon footprints. Jargonistic terms like ‘Net Zero’* and ‘Carbon Neutral’** can make things seem more complicated.
The report also showed many businesses are worried about making sustainable changes because they believe the process will be complicated and expensive. But in reality, that is far from the case. Many of the initial steps toward sustainability are ‘low hanging fruit’, relatively easy and cheap to put into practice.
Carbon Literacy training covers all of the above and more, giving you the knowledge and confidence you need to start or progress your sustainability journey.
Understanding your business’ carbon footprint is key to progressing to a greener organisation. Mike Berners-Lee’s ‘How Bad Are Bananas’ usefully, yet surprisingly, reveals the true impact that many everyday items have on the environment.
Resource Savings:
Today, over 21,000 individuals are Carbon Literate. The Carbon Literacy Project estimates these people would have cut their carbon footprint by 5-15%. This adds up to a project-wide monumental carbon saving!
The way this carbon saving is achieved varies. Learners pledge actions that cut carbon emissions, as an individual and as part of a group (e.g. at work). This will lead to carbon reductions in your workplace. Not sold yet? Carbon reductions often mean cost reductions too!
Business Reputation:
Becoming a Carbon Literate organisation shows a commitment to placing sustainability at the forefront of your operations. This is becoming more and more important in today’s world. Potential employees, partners and consumers are looking at your companies’ carbon credentials more than ever. This can mean that those businesses not committed to cutting emissions can be left behind when recruiting, partnering and selling.
Networking:
Carbon Literacy participants are required to actively engage with the training within its group setting. This engagement offers the perfect opportunity for you to form invaluable connections to other businesses also committed to sustainability. These connections may provide you with advice, examples of good practice or even a new green business partner.
Participants would also have the chance to meet the Carbon Literacy trainers who really know their subject. They can offer learners their unique expertise and viewpoints on any queries, problems and future plans.
Outlook:
One of the key things I was taught during Carbon Literacy was how to talk about climate change in a positive manner. Not in the defeatist way reading news articles and scientific journals often leads to. But expressing concerns constructively whilst inspiring positive action from others.
Training aims to empower participants to become environmental activists who champion sustainability. Making a difference not just to your business, but to your community and the fight against climate change.
*Net Zero – achieving a state in which the activities within the value chain of a company result in no net impact on the climate from greenhouse gas emissions.
** Carbon Neutral – a carbon neutral footprint is one where the sum of the greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) produced is offset by natural carbon sinks and/or carbon credits (Both definitions – carbontrust.com).
September 2021. Harry Grosvenor – Carbon Charter Assistant, Groundwork East.
