Thousands of people contribute to a large organisation’s carbon emissions. That means there is a need to quickly scale decarbonisation engagement activities and bring as many stakeholders on board rapidly.
Building internal trainer skills for disseminating of Carbon Literacy is a cost-effective way to drive progress in response to the climate emergency.
The Scale of University of York’s Challenge
The University of York’s (UoY) Sustainability Plan sets a target for scope 1 and scope 2 carbon neutrality by 2030 and scope 3 neutrality by 2050.
There are over 5,000 staff across academic and operational departments who keep the university running and produce world-renowned academic research. More than 20,000 students at the university come from the UK and all over the world to develop their skills. It is these skills that will shape society and economy in the years and decades to come.
The university recognises that its position grants it the privilege of influence, alongside the opportunity to enable meaningful change towards net zero carbon emissions.
Engaging in Sustainability with Carbon Literacy
Altogether, the institution has over 25,000 staff and students, all with their own roles, responsibilities and needs. With so many competing priorities, progress towards net zero can be challenging. Jo Hossell, the university’s former Sustainability Engagement Officer became Carbon Literate during COVID lockdowns. She realised the value of rolling out this training programme.
The programme appealed to Jo because of its adaptability to suit the needs of the different stakeholders. The educational staff role differs from the facilities and management teams roles, in that tutors are educating future employees and leaders. However, those who run and support the organisation are more involved with the ‘here-and-now’. Then there are the students, who in the main will have greater influence and impact their future roles, once they leave the education arena.
Course content is designed to fulfil all of these needs.
Once the right course had been source, the biggest challenge was how to reach 25,000 people timely and cost effectively.
Why University of York chose to work with Speak Carbon
Carbon Literacy training means one day’s worth of climate-focused learning for everyone who participates, with pledges making the learning practical. The University understood the imperative of delivering 25,000 days of engagement over as short a timeframe as possible.
Like any large organisation, there are obstacles and limitations for internal training capacity that create a need for external support. On the other hand, the issue is counterbalanced with budgetary constraints on how much external support that can be enlisted.
Speak Carbon was identified as a Yorkshire based, local training provider able to approach these competing parameters from both sides. That’s because what we offer goes beyond the accredited Carbon Literacy training. Our additional Training Professionals (Train-the-Trainer) programme complements the day of learning, by establishing an internal ecosystem of qualified Carbon Literacy Facilitators from among the organisation’s staff and students. Facilitators may then easily progress to become Carbon Literacy Trainers.
Shaping the plan for UoY
In 2021, Speak Carbon delivered the first Carbon Literacy training to three cohorts of staff and students. Following on from these workshops, individuals interested in becoming Carbon Literacy trainers were identified. Initially, eight keen individuals enrolled on the Training Professionals programme. Over the course of four workshops, participants were equipped with the skills and confidence required of quality Carbon Literacy facilitators.
The programme was tailored, as all our projects are, incorporating specific content from the university’s chosen Carbon Literacy course. Additionally, within the course, participants were given theoretical and practical exercises to complete.
Mark Clough, Sustainability Manager, whose oversight guides the internal workings of the Training Cascade, said participants, “Have found Training Professionals to be a great extension of the Carbon Literacy training, giving them greater confidence to spread the climate message wider.”
With the ongoing success of the programme, the work continues and more Training Professional cohorts are to be scheduled. This is in recognition of the need to increase its reach so that more participants can be invited to become Carbon Literate Citizens.
Train-the-Trainer for your Organisation
If you would like to roll out Carbon Literacy training internally in your organisation, contact us to find our more. You can either send an email or book a no-obligation discovery call.