Carbon Literacy Trainer
What is a Carbon Literacy trainer?
A Carbon Literacy trainer is someone who delivers accredited Carbon Literacy® training to their peers, and is responsible for enabling learners to become certified as Carbon Literate.
Anyone who is certified as Carbon Literate can deliver training, an element that honours the peer-to-peer learning method that makes Carbon Literacy training unique, accessible and relevant to all. This means that a trainer could be an employee delivering in-house, a freelancer delivering to SMEs, or a volunteer delivering to local community groups; the key factor being that they are someone connected with, and trusted by learners.
To deliver Carbon Literacy training, you must be certified as Carbon Literate, have attended one of our free online ‘Delivering Successful Carbon Literacy’ workshops and have access to an accredited Carbon Literacy course.
Trainer Certification Scheme
Trainers can become formally certified through the Carbon Literacy Trainer Certification Scheme, an award initiative with three distinct, progressional levels, to be achieved in succession:
- Level 1: Carbon Literacy Facilitator (CLF)
- Level 2: Carbon Literacy Trainer (CLT)
- Level 3: Carbon Literacy Consultant (CLC)
Each level acts as an indicator of a trainers’ expertise in Carbon Literacy course organisation, communication, design, and delivery, with an increased level of skill and experience required for each level of certification. The certification scheme offers a flexible and progressive pathway for becoming certified, recognising the evolving journey a trainer can embark on.
Why become certified?
Trainer Celebration Evening 2026
The Carbon Literacy Project proudly hosts an annual Trainer Celebration Evening, an inspiring event, usually held in Manchester each autumn, to recognise the work and achievements of Carbon Literacy trainers who have reached Level 2: Carbon Literacy Trainer (CLT) and Level 3: Carbon Literacy Consultant (CLC) certification.
To be awarded at the next Trainer Celebration Evening in autumn 2026, please complete and submit your application by summer 2026. Find out how to apply below.
I think the most positive aspect of helping to deliver the training was in sharing views and perspectives with the other trainers and the people participating on the course. With such a diverse range of participants from across the organisation, it makes you more aware of the impact and successes of the Council as a whole and of where you can play a part in this.
Andrew Chase, Policy Officer Directorate for Families, Health and Wellbeing at Manchester City Council
Becoming a Carbon Literacy Trainer has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time at Manchester Metropolitan University, and one of the best opportunities for progressing my aspirations for a career in sustainability.
Helen Filby, Manchester Met University – CLT
By teaching about Climate Change in lessons I feel like we are helping to save the world in a small way. I am very proud that a lot of pupils gained the Carbon Literacy award. I know that there are many, many more of our pupils who are capable of this now. They are confident enough to talk about the science of Climate Change and how to stop it increasing. These pupils now have the confidence to teach others about Global Warming and Climate Change. They have taught parents, pupils, outside agency and schools in other countries.
Margaret Lynch-Deakin, Teacher at Heald Place Primary School
You can't necessarily on a day-to-day basis see the impact of climate change but all these things are happening and they're things that have implications for our survival. [With Carbon Literacy] people are consistently coming away with that understanding and, critically, with the motivation to do something about it … they leave the room pumped and ready to go.
Richard Smith, Sustainability Manager at the BBC – CLT
I found the experience of being a CLF at Manchester Museum a very positive one. Its enabled me to help staff understand the issues around Carbon Literacy and to give them an understanding of how they can contribute to reducing [climate changes'] impact[s]. Its been a great experience chatting and discussing with a wide range of colleagues and especially seeing those for whom it’s been a real revelation and inspiration to take action. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Michael Whitworth, Manchester Museum
"Going through the process of being an accredited trainer gave me confidence in my delivery and the course content. It made it easier for me to develop our own courses as I was able to use my reflections to inform how I would design activities and discussions. It also helps to show you have added support from CLP and that they endorse you delivering their courses."
Emily Hirst, The Hive - CLT
"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
How to apply
We strongly recommend that trainers follow the certification route, especially as the first level CLF is free, so we hope that most trainers feel encouraged to apply for this status. You can find current costs for CLT and CLC certification on page 6 of the Pricing Matrix.
If you are interested in applying for Trainer certification, you can get started by reading through the Trainer Standard below for information on each tier and its requirements.
After this, you can get in touch with our Trainer Network Team at [email protected], who will support you on your journey to certification.