'Decarbonising Digital' Carbon Literacy Course
Understanding how digital impacts the environment and how becoming Carbon Literate is business critical.
What is Carbon Literacy?
“An awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.”
A Carbon Literacy accredited course like the 'Decarbonising Digital' one is designed to offer everyone a day’s worth of Carbon Literacy® learning, covering – climate change, carbon footprints, how you can do your bit, and why it’s relevant to you and your audience focussing on the use of digital and tech.
It's also globally unique – there is nothing else quite like it anywhere.
It was recognised as such by the United Nations at COP21, in Paris 2015, where it was awarded one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs.
Specifically for me and the work that I do in another of my businesses, The Digital Gene, becoming Carbon Literate in 2023 highlighted for us the invisible world of digital dirt and the environmental damage it is causing our planet as far as CO2 emissions are concerned.
We were disturbed by the implications and decided to begin some changes for ourselves.
We started developing a climate-first approach to our work.
We also learned that there wasn't a Carbon Literacy course specifically for those like us who worked in the digital industry.
In the summer of 2023 I undertook to create one and was pleased to announce that it was certified and accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project in November 2023.
We trained the inaugural cohort of learners in January 2024 and they passed with flying colours.
Acquiring this knowledge is the first step towards understanding digital sustainability and plugging the green skills gap both personally and in your job role.
You’ll gain a robust understanding of the science sitting behind climate change and how to make positive changes and influence.
The course is perfect for small and large marketing teams of any industry sector, digital, communications and creative agencies.
Why invest in Carbon Literacy training?
The benefits are huge.
There is a growing demand for professionals who are knowledgeable about digital sustainability and climate change. Carbon Literacy training can help individuals develop skills that are in demand and highly valued by industry leaders.
It can support existing sustainability strategy objectives.
It will definitely help increase employee awareness of climate change and the actions that individuals and organisations can take to reduce their impact.
Businesses and organisations become empowered and learn how to improve their decision making related to digital sustainability.
Specifically, the 'Decarbonising Digital' course highlights best practice and performance optimisation from across a broad range of digital marketing activities and specialisms.
The CLP estimates that Carbon Literacy training can deliver a 5-15% reduction in CO2e emissions per individual that completes the training and fulfils their pledges.
Carbon Literacy training is most successful when it is delivered to the needs of the participants e.g. a senior management/leadership team, marketing team, agency team etc;
I can customise the 'Decarbonising Digital' course exclusively for your business. Since Q4 2024 The Carbon Literacy Project has agreed that I can also customise it as a ‘Digital Footprints’ course so that it can be delivered to anyone that uses the internet in their job role.
It's for anyone and everyone who browses the web, uses a mobile phone, is active on social media, sends emails, takes photos, saves files .. so that's an estimated 85% of the global population!!!
We all need to learn how to decarbonise our digital footprint.
This course will help you identify how to do that.
You do not need to have prior sustainability experience.
Course Modules
Session One
Module 1 - What is Carbon Literacy & why become Carbon Literate?
Module 2 - What is causing climate change?
Module 3 - Net Zero explained
Module 4 - What is a Digital Carbon Footprint?
Module 5 - Digging into the topic of ‘Digital Decarbonisation’
Session Two
Module 6 - Learning how to Decarbonise our Digital Assets
Module 7 - Greenwashing & Present Day
Module 8 - Creating Carbon Literacy Action Pledges
Modules 5 & 6 sub topics range includes; Dark Data, Managing the Digital Supply Chain, Web Sustainability Best Practice, Email Campaigns, Social Media, Green SEO, PPC& Ad Campaigns, Ecommerce, Artificial Intelligence, Green Hosting, Digital Wellbeing.
To receive certification from the Carbon Literacy Project you are required to attend 8 hours { sessions 1 and 2 } of learning and complete 2 significant pledges.
Course Outcomes
In-depth understanding of climate change: There is a growing demand for professionals who are knowledgeable about digital sustainability and climate change. Carbon Literacy training can help individuals develop skills that are highly valued by industry leaders.
Practical skills for sustainable action: Acquire practical skills and knowledge for reducing digital carbon footprints both individually and professionally. This includes understanding how to identify and effectively implement sustainable practices within your business or organisation.
Empowerment to lead change: Become empowered and learn how to instigate and improve decision making related to digital sustainability.
Actionable plans for real impact: Develop actionable plans and pledges to implement sustainability from your role and within your organisation and how to influence your supply chain and clients.
Networking & collaboration opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and build a network of peers committed to greening the web and the tools and devices we all use.
Certification in Carbon Literacy: Earn a certification in Digital Carbon Literacy, affirming your commitment and knowledge in this crucial and largely untapped environmental problem. Use this certification to enhance your credibility and influence.
I am an associate for a UK training collective which means that I am part of a wider team that can deliver sector specific training utilising the collection of Carbon Literacy toolkits; e.g. local authorities, universities and colleges and professional services.
I can also work with businesses and organisations to achieve Carbon Literate organisation status - CLO bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels.
I currently only train within the UK for this course.
Please get in touch for a chat about how I can help your business or organisation become digitally Carbon Literate.