Schools
Carbon Literacy for Schools
What is Carbon Literacy® for Schools?
The Carbon Literacy for Schools Toolkit contains the materials needed to deliver a day’s worth of Carbon Literacy training within schools. Uniquely designed and developed for staff in primary and secondary schools, the materials provide the skills and knowledge needed to bridge the gap between climate change policy and climate action. The toolkit provides schools and educational settings with the resources needed to engage their community and stakeholders in national net zero policies and empowers everyone to identify carbon reduction actions.
The Toolkit contains pre-accredited materials for conducting Carbon Literacy training. The content is regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest climate change policies, and the training is designed to be delivered peer-to-peer, enabling a cascade effect within the schools sector.
We welcome enquiries from all school settings, staff and stakeholders to discuss the options available to access our Toolkit materials. Please contact [email protected].
How Carbon Literacy can help your organisation meet climate goals
The schools sector is in a unique position to inspire a shift towards sustainable, net-zero communities. Education, action and motivation can have a positive ripple effect on society and the economy through the fostering of a low-carbon culture.
By implementing innovative carbon reduction strategies through Carbon Literacy training, promoting climate science though school curriculum, encouraging active travel, advocating for healthier lifestyles, and improving environmental conditions, the schools sector can have a huge impact on carbon emissions, and support our young people in taking control of their future.
Courses
School Staff Course
The Schools Staff course offers a full day’s worth of training for staff working within a schools context to become certified as Carbon Literate. With adaptable slides to suit INSET and CPD, the course engages learners with a blend of activities, discussion breakouts and video content. After completing evidence forms to become formally certified, learners will walk away equipped with the knowledge and confidence to prioritise low-carbon decision-making and contribute to net zero targets.
Audience
Suitable for all school staff and stakeholders – including governors and volunteers.
Delivery Method
Flexible. It’s written in 4 modules of roughly two hours. It covers all aspects of Carbon Literacy, and can be delivered as needed, including one full day, or two half days if preferred.
Interested? Save the date for the Schools Toolkit Launch – June 5th 2025.
Key Questions
The toolkit contains a slide deck, a comprehensive trainer manual, activity pack, evidence forms and a getting started pack. There are slides within the slide deck that can be adapted to highlight local action and news. These are all the resources you need to deliver Carbon Literacy Training.
Yes! The Toolkit is designed to be suitable for anyone to deliver. all you need to do is first become certified as Carbon Literate. You can do this by joining one of our open training sessions on our Events page.
You will then need to attend a free two hour ‘Delivering Successful Carbon Literacy’ workshop to learn more about the process of delivering training and build your confidence for your first session, which you can also find on our Events page. After this, you are good to go!
The course has been designed to encourage discussion and collaboration across all school staff, volunteers and stakeholders – and we welcome enquiries from all education organisations to discuss the options available to access our Toolkit materials. This could be schools, multi-academy trusts, and those working with teachers and learners.
Climate Action in Schools
Introducing Let’s Go Zero
Learn about Let’s Go Zero, the national campaign uniting teachers, pupils, parents and their schools as they work together to be zero carbon by 2030.
Department for Education Strategy
Learn about the Climate and Sustainability Strategy that is encouraging positive environmental behaviours and creating a better future.
United Nations Education Guidance
Find out how UNESCO aims to “help people understand the impact of global warming today and increase "climate literacy" amongst young people."
“All staff must receive Carbon Literacy training. It is relevant to every single job role and net zero will not be achieved by anything less than everyone playing their part.”
The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education
"We need to face up to this major challenge, partly because of the health and quality of life of our own residents. We want to clean up the air that they breathe, we want to reduce the use of plastic that's cluttering our rivers and our green spaces. We want to put Greater Manchester in a position of leadership on this crucial issue that will shape the 21st century, but if we are to succeed it does require radical action now."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
“Before I became Carbon Literate, I thought I was doing as much as I could to make my climate impact as minimal as possible. After I attended training, I realised I was only touching the surface and that everything I do has an environmental impact, which I now consider daily.”
Anna Romachney, Student Trainer at Man Met University
Get in Touch
To speak to our team or to request a course, please contact us at [email protected] listing ‘Schools Toolkit’ as the subject line.
Please include the following:
- Your educational setting
- The area you are based in
- The course you are interested in
- If you have any plans for roll-out