Local Authorities
Carbon Literacy Toolkits for Local Authorities
Introduction
- Carbon Literacy Toolkits have been developed to maximise the ease and speed of adoption of CL.
- Other than local customisation, adopting a certified CL Toolkit eliminates course development and accreditation time and costs as barriers to adoption.
- Toolkit development is supported by The Carbon Literacy Project, but as always, training materials are contributed, curated, selected and reviewed by representatives of the relevant sector.
- Toolkit materials are kept up to date by sectoral experts and The Carbon Literacy Project.
- This approach maximises the chances that organisations use the latest and best sectoral materials for them
- As a result, ‘reinventing the wheel’ is avoided and the experiences of many brought together to deliver more effective training and better outcomes.
Development of The Local Authorities CL Toolkit has been funded by The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) via The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and has involved contribution and donation of materials and testing and piloting by 13 different local authorities across England and Wales.
Who can gain access to use Toolkits?
Toolkits are designed for specific sectoral audiences and content is matched to the needs of that sector. As such, materials are only released to organisations that in the view of the funders, the sectoral consortium, or The Carbon Literacy Project, correctly belong to that sector. This is not only because of the need to maintain the quality of Carbon Literacy by ensuring the appropriateness of the content, but because Toolkits are usually governed by Creative Commons licensing agreements and content is owned by contributors who have only given permission for its use, or commercially licensed it for use, in specific not-for-profit contexts. Training organisations or consultants wanting to adopt Toolkit materials or adapt them for new sectors or audiences should in the first instance approach The Carbon Literacy Project.
If you are an organisation that has not had contact with CLP before we will normally have a talk with you by phone or online to understand your plans and connect you up with other organisations and people that may be able to help you. We normally respond to course requests within one working day.
Are they really free?
The Carbon Literacy Public Sector Local Authorities Toolkit and all its components are covered by a Creative Commons Licence and this formulation of materials is Copyright © The Carbon Literacy Trust 2020.
This toolkit and materials are designed and curated for, the purpose of certified Carbon Literacy training within UK Local Authorities and approved partner organisations. The contents are distributed free of charge and licenced (and in many cases sub-licenced) by many contributing organisations for that purpose only. The rights and copyrights of contributing parties still apply.
In other words, the Local Authority Carbon Literacy Toolkits are free to use for the delivery of certified Carbon Literacy training within recognised UK Local Authorities and can be used by their appointed training partners to do this. The only external costs for usage are therefore those of certification for individuals, which is the standard £10 per participant for UK Local Authorities.
You may not use these materials to generate a new commercial product or sell delivery of these materials outside of UK Local Authorities or to deliver training not intended to deliver certified Carbon Literacy.
You may be granted rights to use the materials for commercial purposes beyond the current licence, but if you wish to do so please contact:
The Carbon Literacy Trust via localauthorities@carbonliteracy.com
Making the case
One of the most common queries from individual authorities is for advice and support persuading colleagues of the financial case for an organisation rolling out Carbon Literacy and becoming Carbon Literate; as well as for help, or useful materials, to make the initial case to colleagues to participate.
Here are some resources free for you to use to help you make that case:
Michael Cullen, Borough Treasurer at Stockport Council
Michael, the world’s first Carbon Literate local government Treasurer, discusses his experience of undertaking a Carbon Literacy course.
Alice Webb, Director of BBC Children’s and BBC North
Presentation from the Greater Manchester Green Summit 2018. Alice speaks about the profound impact of Carbon Literacy training personally, and across the film and TV sector.
BBC Vox PopStaff members from a cross-section of the BBC reflect on undertaking Carbon Literacy training and how it’s changed the way they think and work.
Toolkits
Local Authorities Generic Staff Course
Free to use for qualifying organisations
Audience
Aimed at staff working in a local authority environment without differentiating between roles.
Versions
Three pathways to science section (part 1) based on:
- Carbon Literacy: Knowledge E-learning route
- Sir David Attenborough, ‘Climate Change – The Facts’ film route
- Presenter-led: online or face-to-face workshop route
All pathways are then followed up by a presenter-led, online or face-to-face, workshop (part 2).
“It was thought-provoking and incredibly valuable to step back and look at your daily activities and the impact they have on the world as an individual / community and species. You may think you’re environmentally conscious, but you realise there is always more you can do! This should become policy, not voluntary. I’d love to learn more and become a Carbon Literacy Certified Training Professional so that I can pass this information on.”
– Bids and Tenders Manager, Leicestershire County Council
Produced in partnership with
The Carbon Literacy Project
Course development funded by
Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Senior Management and Leadership Course
Audience
Aimed at senior leaders and officers, and elected members working in a local authority environment.
Produced in partnership with
Cheshire East Council
Great Places Housing Group
Councillors Course
Audience
Aimed at Councillors and Elected Members working within a local authority environment.
Produced in partnership with
Center for Sustainable Energy
Climate Emergency UK
Great Places Housing Group
Manchester Metropolitan University
North Somerset Council
Pension Fund Trustees and Managers Course
Audience
Aimed at those that manage pension funds and Pension Fund Trustees within a local authority environment.
Produced in partnership with
Great Places Housing Group
Manchester Metropolitan University
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
"It was probably one of the most insightful, life-changing training days I've ever been on... You can make change that has an impact, and you can influence others and change the way decisions are made."
Michael Cullen, Borough Treasurer at Stockport Council
"Really thought-provoking and also helpful to see we could make changes at the council if we want to move things forward. Nice to see some successes made by other councils. Really enjoyable to mix with people across the council whilst homeworking - the course was still really effective even though we were in different places. This should be rolled out to all staff, especially those with decision making powers."
Planning – Resource Officer at Winchester City Council
"It’s vital. It’s urgent. Can’t wait. Very interactive / engaging. Powerful."
Diane Eaton, Corporate Director at Trafford Council
"It was thought-provoking and incredibly valuable to step back and look at your daily activities and the impact they have on the world as an individual / community and species. You may think you’re environmentally conscious, but you realise there is always more you can do! This should become policy, not voluntary. I’d love to learn more and become a Carbon Literacy Certified Training Professional so that I can pass this information on."
Vicki Louise Clements, Bids and Tenders Manager at Leicestershire County Council
"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
"You will learn and think about things you hadn’t previously considered, regardless of your level of knowledge."
Paul Farrand, Senior Planner at Trafford Council
"I've been working in renewable energy and sustainability for several years, so when I went on the Carbon Literacy program, I thought, "well, I wonder what it will teach me?" And I came back inspired and driven to carry on spreading the message. I saw how valuable it was and that, if it can talk to professionals that work in the sector but also engage at a level for people that have maybe very little understanding of [climate change], to be able to have a training program that speaks across the board was just so powerful. And so I was very keen to become a trainer myself and to pass this on throughout my council. So, yes, I highly recommend it!"
Naomi Wise, Sustainability Officer at Winchester City Council
Request a Toolkit
To request one or more of the available Toolkits for Local Authorities, please Contact Us listing ‘Local Authority Toolkit’ as the subject. Please include the following:
- A local authority organisational email address
- Which course Toolkits you are requesting?
- Why you are interested in these particular sectoral courses?
If you’d prefer not to use the contact form, please email us at localauthorities@carbonliteracy.com