Train People, Generate Ideas, Reduce Carbon Emissions

As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, it is crucial for all sectors to play their part in transitioning to a sustainable future. Social housing providers have a unique opportunity to lead the way in reducing carbon emissions while also addressing the issues associated with social and economic inequalities in Britain. The Carbon Literacy Toolkit for Social Housing presents an invaluable resource to empower and educate stakeholders, enabling them to take meaningful action towards a greener, more sustainable future. As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, there is an imperative for organisations and communities everywhere to take control of the emissions over which they have influence. Those of us without the political clout of public office or presence at international conferences might feel powerless to do anything about climate change. But we can choose a different path, we just need to know how.

The Carbon Literacy Project has been supporting workplaces in creating the time and space to talk about climate change and its solutions for over 10 years. Training materials are designed to frame climate change conversations through lenses that are relevant to the organisation and the local area; a collection of 17 housing associations across Greater Manchester realised that their materials might look rather similar. They jointly funded the development of a Carbon Literacy training programme that coordinated their training efforts and low-carbon actions. This was the precursor to the Carbon Literacy Toolkit for Social Housing.

The Social Housing Toolkit is a comprehensive and user-friendly resource designed to enhance the understanding of climate change, its impacts, and the measures required to mitigate its effects within the context of social housing. Developed with and for social housing providers, the Toolkit provides a systematic approach to building Carbon Literacy among staff and tenants, as well as other key stakeholders.

The Toolkit was shortlisted for the Unlock Net Zero Awards 2023. It was fantastic to see that so many of the winners this year are organisations that train their staff in Carbon Literacy to aid their low-carbon ambitions. One of the strengths of the Social Housing Toolkit is its ability to empower staff and tenants within the social housing sector. By equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle climate change, the Toolkit fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages collective action. This, in turn, can lead to a range of benefits, including improved engagement, enhanced reputation, and reduced operational costs.

The Toolkit provides a wealth of educational resources, including training materials and case studies. Its interactive delivery style is designed to raise awareness and deepen understanding through learning with and from everyone in the room. By increasing Carbon Literacy, social housing providers can empower their employees to make more low-carbon choices in their roles within the organization and in their own lives too. Such knowledge can inspire innovative solutions and foster a culture of sustainability within the workplace. Whether at the beginning of your sustainability transition, or trying to put robust policy into action, the Carbon Literacy Toolkit is an impactful means to realise excellent results.

The adoption of sustainable practices is not only beneficial for the environment but carries with it a wealth of other benefits. The Social Housing Toolkit assists social housing providers in identifying energy-saving opportunities and implementing measures to reduce energy consumption and associated costs. By promoting energy efficiency and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, providers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while simultaneously lowering operational expenses. Better efficiency and lower bills allow householders to live comfortable, healthy lives in their homes.

In an era defined by the urgent need for climate action, social housing providers (and their supply chains) have an incredible opportunity to drive change and create a sustainable future. The Carbon Literacy Toolkit for Social Housing equips staff, tenants, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions and take effective action towards a greener and more sustainable social housing sector that provides safe, decent, affordable homes now and into the future. Those that embrace this powerful resource can strive for a brighter, carbon-conscious world.

If you would like to use Carbon Literacy training to enhance your transition to net-zero carbon emissions, contact us via email at housing@carbonliteracy.com.