The Carbon Literacy Trust
The Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1156722
The Carbon Literacy Project has always been a massive collaborative project from its conception.
It involves people and organisations from all sectors and walks of life working together and contributing time, materials and funding to advance understanding and action on climate change.
In creating and establishing The Project, Cooler Projects (itself a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company) made it clear that The Carbon Literacy Project materials and the intellectual property it created would not be retained by Cooler.
Instead this work was to be held in trust for the benefit of the people of Manchester and beyond. As soon as The Project was sufficiently established, an independent charitable trust would be founded to take on responsibility for The Project.
The Carbon Literacy Trust was formed in September 2013 and incorporated and recognised by the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in March 2014.
Its charitable aim is “to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment” through the dissemination of Carbon Literacy.
The Trust is fortunate in having a board of trustees reflecting a huge depth of knowledge and understanding of climate change and its environmental and economic impacts, of work for the public good and individually, a depth of sectoral reputation and expertise which they each bring to bear in support of The Project.
Trustees
For any queries regarding The Carbon Literacy Trust, please email us at trust@carbonliteracy.com
Jen Wilson (Chair)
Jen has nine years’ experience working within the automotive industry at Auto Trader plc, working closely with renowned car brands and dealer groups. She was introduced to Carbon Literacy through Auto Trader’s partnership with the project and has since led Auto Trader’s Sustainability Network, whilst being a key voice in regards to its environmental strategy. Jen is passionate about tackling climate change and carbon emissions through educating and encouraging others.
Alex Ganotis (Vice-Chair)
Alex Ganotis is a former leader of Stockport Council. As leader, he was appointed by Andy Burnham as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority portfolio lead for the Green City Region. In that role, Alex played a central role in developing Greater Manchester’s plans for becoming a carbon-neutral city region by 2038 including two Green Summits, GM’s 5 Year Environment Plan and associated work on sustainable economic growth, and widespread stakeholder engagement. He also led on the development – and awareness of – ambitious clean air policies, and took forward a wide variety of other green initiatives.
Simon Foy
Simon is a commercial lawyer and business owner with longstanding experience and interest in the renewable energy, resource recovery and environmental sectors. Simon is the co-owner of Blue Energy, a leading independent developer of renewable energy assets and the co-founder of Synthesis Water Solutions, a pioneering manufacturer and provider of innovative water treatment solutions. He also acts as a Non Executive Director and advisor to various private businesses and family offices. By profession a corporate lawyer, Simon worked at a number of leading international law firms including Simmons & Simmons, DLA Piper and PwC Legal and held a number of general counsel roles in the energy and resource recovery sectors before pursuing his own business interests. He is an experienced trustee and has been an active supporter of The Carbon Literacy Project since its foundation, before joining the Board in 2024.
Malin Cunningham
Malin Cunningham is the founder of Hattrick, a b2b communications consultancy and certified B Corp. A Swedish national with an MA in Public Relations and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumni, she thrives on helping businesses balance commercial realities with climate conscious operations.
Malin is also a passionate Carbon Literacy trainer and Hattrick delivers accredited training for sales and marketing teams to support them with their sustainability communications. She believes in the power of stories and the pressure of scrutiny to drive change.