5 Company Benefits of Carbon Training
Carbon Literacy training is a certified, educational training course designed to increase awareness and improve knowledge of climate change. Its goal is to empower both individuals and organisations to take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Keep reading to see why we like it so much.
What is covered during a typical Carbon Literacy course?
The framework is provided by the Carbon Literacy Project. Training is adapted by the training provider to the audience but in general covers the science of climate change, carbon cycles, the sources of greenhouse gas emissions and climate justice. It then moves onto what you can do to act on climate change including solutions such as energy conservation, renewables, low carbon transport and waste reduction. Finally, it covers strategies and skills for communicating action on climate change.
““Education is the most powerful tool we have for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate.” ”
What are the benefits of Carbon Literacy training?
1. Reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint
By educating and empowering your employees about the causes of climate change and how to mitigate it, companies can take concrete steps to reduce their emissions. In fact, the Carbon Trust says training your team can have the effect of reducing your company’s carbon footprint by 5-15%.
2. Save money
Energy efficiency and waste reduction measures can lead to a reduction in operational expenses within your business.
3. Improve your reputation and communication
With customers prioritising sustainability more and more in their purchasing decisions, companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability can improve their reputation and attract climate conscious customers. The same can be said for business partnerships. As businesses update their own sustainability plans, they will look for companies taking action.
An improved understanding of climate change, the causes, effects and solutions can also help companies communicate their sustainability plans and achievements better.
4. Comply with regulation
Carbon Literacy can educate company employees about relevant environmental regulation, helping your company comply with standards and avoid penalties and reputational damage.
5. Train your staff to take action within their role
Carbon literacy training has been proven to help companies engage and motivate their employees. By involving employees in sustainability efforts, companies can increase their job satisfaction and sense of purpose, leading to higher retention rates and productivity.
How does Carbon Literacy Training work?
For an individual to become certified, they must complete an 8-hour training course accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project. 8 hours may seem long, but it flies by and participants are so engaged the conversation continues after the course is over. Plus, trainers often split the 8 hours over 2 or 3 days. Moreover, getting to grips with the causes and effects of climate change, and navigating the solutions and communication issues is complicated and isn’t something that can be addressed fully in a short space of time.
At the end, participants must submit an evidence form. This is to demonstrate they have understood the training and where they will outline two commitments - one to reduce their personal carbon footprint and the other a group action to help reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint. A good trainer makes this stage easy for you to do.
Who can offer Carbon Literacy Training?
Anyone who has been certified Carbon Literate and who has had their course certified by the Carbon Trust can provide training. Both Charlie and Heather at ecollective are certified and have had courses accredited.
Carbon Literacy training with ecollective
We know the science is hard to understand. Our goal is to help your team know what they need to do to reduce your footprint whilst making your business thrive. By using quizzes, video, breakout sessions and opportunities for discussion, our training is immersive and engaging. We can offer the training in one day, or shorter sessions over two or three days, whatever suits you.
What we do not do:
Give opinions that do not align with IPCC and the current best advice on tackling the climate crisis.
Judge. No one is perfect and no one is awful. Most people are in the same boat (could do and would like to do better).
The Carbon Literacy Project requires courses to be tailored to a specific audience (eg. a local authority, marketing professionals, travel businesses, event organisers etc). If you would like a company-wide course, the best course of action is to contact us about getting a course approved for your business that we can then deliver.
Find out more about our courses by clicking the button below…
