Carbon Literacy Training adapted for the virtual world

The training contract was awarded to HOME, Manchester's multi-arts centre. HOME is an active member of MAST with a track record of trialling innovative sustainable practices to support sector development, having piloted a sector specific Carbon Literacy package created in collaboration with MAST and Manchester Metropolitan University in 2017. HOME is a Platinum Carbon Literacy Organisation (CLO) and in 2018 became the first arts venue in the world to train 100% of its workforce in Carbon Literacy. As a Carbon Literacy Training Organisation (CLTO), HOME also delivered Carbon Literacy to the C-Change Network participants during March and October 2019 study visits to Manchester.

HOME's remote learning Carbon Literacy training package was re-accredited by Carbon Literacy Project in late Summer 2020 with first remote sessions delivered in Autumn 2020. Remote delivery of Carbon Literacy enabled participants to engage with training in a virtual learning environment, presenting opportunities to interact with colleagues and grow networks for collaboration.

Following plenty of interest, participants were sent a training schedule invited to book their free place using Eventbrite. The training took place in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and England's third national lockdown. Many participants were faced with a variety of personal, social and economic impacts and additional pressures including furlough from their organisations, reduced opportunities for freelance creatives, and the compromises of shared working and living spaces. Although there were 100 sign-ups, some participants were unable to attend at short notice. Places were offered to others who had expressed interest from across the network.

The online training was delivered using the Microsoft 365 presentation application Sway and online conferencing and meeting hosting platform Zoom. Participant forms were collected using Microsoft Forms. Training was designed and delivered by Alison Criddle experienced Carbon Literacy Trainer (CLT) from HOME's Environmental Sustainability team.

The training syllabus covered a range of topics:

• Global impacts of the climate crisis, greenhouse gases and their sources
• Carbon footprints, direct and indirect carbon emissions International national, sector and regional climate commitments and initiatives
• Science-based targets and carbon budgets
• Cultural sector case studies of environmental sustainability
• Climate and social justice
• Carbon reduction policies, planning and practices, engagement and accountability
• Spheres of influence and co-benefits
• Action planning and resources.

The format of the training was modular and followed best practice for retaining engagement during online training. The package adhered to the Carbon Literacy Project Standard to undertake one day's worth of training and integrates a range of learning styles with a focus on participatory activities. The training was split into 5 parts:

Film: Climate Change: The Facts (BBC) - Learners watched this film independently

Webinar Attended by all learners + recorded - led by Trainer Alison Criddle

Workshop 1 - Attended in groups of 12 learners - Trainer-led, interactive and participatory

Workshop 2 - Attended in groups of 12 learners -Trainer-led, interactive and participatory

Participant Action Form - Online written form which learners completed independently

The training focused on MAST's commitment to meet Greater Manchester's target to be zero carbon by 2038 or sooner, and the current phase of Manchester's Zero Carbon Framework to reduce direct emissions by 50% in the period 2020-2025. HOME Environmental Team and MAST's Chair developed six Action Areas to support learner thinking, aligning their actions to a strategic framework and a focused vision. These '6 Ps' will support future work to embed learner actions in support of MAST's growth and strategic planning. The training included case studies from current MAST organisations and was shared with learners as a resource to engage their colleagues, peers and networks when planning their environmental and low carbon commitments. The development of the remote learning package presents a model that can be adapted and replicated by C-Change partner cities.

Impact of the Training

Carbon Literacy training enabled the participation of organisations from 8 of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, with participants resident in all 10 boroughs for the first time in MAST's history. Participants ranged from creative practitioners as well as members from cultural organisations covering a wide range of disciplines including: Music, Radio, Festivals, Theatre, Museums & Galleries, Visual & Screen Arts, Dance, Touring Performing & Immersive Arts, Outdoor Arts, Community Arts, Film & Cinema, Heritage, Volunteer and Academia.

A pre- and post-survey poll asked participants to rate their level of confidence to take positive climate action. The results showed the powerful impact of the training to empower action:

Before 72% Unsure or unconfident of how to take positive action on climate crisis

After 98% Confident or very confident of how to take positive action on climate crisis

At the end of their action forms, participants were asked to describe the training experience in three words. The three most frequently featured words were:

Inspiring

Informative

Engaging

Final Reflections

Overall participants really enjoyed the training programme with one quoting "The training was very impressive, with good discussion, information and motivation included. It's enabled our staff to focus their passion around climate change into effective actions and allowed us to connect to others around the city who have similar goals."

Alison Criddle and Simon Curtis were both asked to share their reflections of how they felt about the programme:

"It was fantastic to continue the partnership with MAST by delivering Carbon Literacy training to peers here in Greater Manchester. With so many difficulties that the arts and cultural sector is experiencing due to the pandemic, the training enabled us to build on existing relationships and grow new ones. The generosity of exchange between participants throughout the sessions and the actions created have filled me with the best kind of energy. Now is the time to share the learning and build on the commitments, collaborating for meaningful, just and positive change across our networks. I feel excited to get stuck into the next step of MAST's zero carbon journey."

Alison Criddle, Carbon Literacy Trainer, HOME 

"More than ever we must meet the climate and ecological crisis in the choices we make to rebuild the world around us. Culture has a unique role in helping us imagine and explore our future but it also has an impact which must be addressed. Bringing our sector together, helping it to act and engage has been MAST’s work for 10 years. Our collective approach has been shared with other cities in the UK and now in Europe. This is thanks to our URBACT transfer network C-Change and partnership with Manchester City Council. Creating our online version of this sector specific Carbon Literacy Training has proved yet again what an amazing tool it is and how we all have a part to play."

Simon Curtis, Chair, MAST