We are delighted to announce that the University of Hull has been accredited as a Bronze Carbon Literate Educator by The Carbon Literacy Project. This recognition highlights our commitment to embed climate education and action, through Carbon Literacy, into our University and ethos, and facilitate a cultural shift towards a zero carbon society.
Jeremy Hartley, Chief Finance Officer at the University of Hull, said: “I am delighted that we’ve been recognised as a Bronze level Carbon Literate Educator by The Carbon Literacy Project.
“This award acknowledges the efforts of our colleagues who have developed, facilitated, and completed our accredited Carbon Literacy training course over the last year.
“It also highlights the University’s commitment to reducing emissions to help tackle climate change.
Carbon Literacy is defined as: “an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and Institutional basis". It revolves around a day’s worth of learning and action on climate change.
The University first engaged with Carbon Literacy through our sustainability research and a shared passion of how to embed this in education to make a cultural change and raise climate change awareness.
The University developed a Carbon Management course which is a comprehensive 1-day workshop designed to meet the emerging needs of businesses and individuals to better understand their carbon footprint and how to manage its reduction. This course is accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project.
The course, delivered by Hull University Business School, explores the key challenges and opportunities of our changing climate and offers practical solutions for employers and employees to help address carbon emissions and adapt to its effects.
The programme will see many more students, colleagues and organisations trained over the next 5 years to ensure students can graduate from the University, not only with their degree, but also being carbon literate.
Dr Sarah Shaw, Reader in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Hull University Business School, said: “We are passionate about sustainability, it is embedded in our 2030 strategy.
“We are home to the pioneering UK Energy Estuary and the Humber Region has been identified by the UK government as one of the biggest emitters of carbon emission in the UK and second in Europe. Actions here are central to the UK government hitting net zero by 2050. This challenge is our biggest opportunity.
“This means, as a CL Educator, we have a huge role to play in upskilling and educating our students, our people, our community, and wider society about climate change facts and how they can make a difference individually and collectively.”
Dave Coleman, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project, said: “Carbon Literacy is an essential skill for any student to be properly prepared for the world of work and to thrive in a twenty-first century society. By becoming a Bronze Carbon Literate Educator (CLE), the University of Hull has demonstrated a commitment to empowering its students through Carbon Literacy.
“But CLEs are not only great educators. CLEs run great organisations, taking responsibility for their own impacts, and are able to demonstrate their own efficiencies. CLEs connect themselves and their learners with all the other organisations on their own Carbon Literacy journeys all around them, to the benefit of everyone.
“This award recognises the University of Hull’s efforts and success in facilitating the cultural shift to a positive low carbon future for us all.”
CLE accreditation is a tiered system with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, requiring increasing levels of commitment to action on climate change and creating a low-carbon culture.