Carbon Literacy (CL) helps the Growth Company translate our net zero ambitions into confident conversations, informed decisions and practical action across our services, sites and supply chain.

Key Milestones

02/2022: Pilot cohort of 12 colleagues.
02/2023: First cohort delivered, marking the long-term strategy for Carbon Literacy.
07/2023: Carbon Literacy SILVER Organisation.

Why we started

Colleague confidence: Feedback showed that many colleagues did not feel confident discussing climate change at work or identifying meaningful actions.


Collective effort: GC is working towards net zero emissions by 2035 for Scopes 1 and 2, and by 2045 for Scope 3. Achieving this requires informed decisions across all business units, sites and supply chains. CL helps turn these targets into everyday action.


Credibility and leadership: As a sustainability partner, GC must lead by example and support Greater Manchester's and national environmental ambitions.

How it was delivered

A facilitator-led course, offered online and in person, combines climate science with GC-relevant examples. Pre-work includes a documentary, a personal carbon-footprint exercise and mandatory Environmental Awareness training.

How participation was built

CL is introduced through onboarding and promoted by senior leaders, the Sustainability Team and Team Green, a colleague led group advocating best sustainability practices at work and holding GC to account over climate pledges.

Contract commitments create team targets; a central tracker monitors completion, pledges and certification.

 

CHALLENGES: GC faced recruitment, dropout, unsubmitted pledges and the difficulty of sustaining action after training. Attendance alone did not guarantee certification or completed pledge actions.


RESPONSE: We diversified recruitment routes, offered flexible formats, targeted lower-participating teams and introduced drop-in pledge support. We are now improving follow-up and tracking if pledges are delivered.


KEY LESSON: Treat attendance, pledge submission, certification and action as distinct stages. Each needs visible leadership, peer support, monitoring and follow-up.

 

 

CL has supported stronger colleague engagement, interest in co-facilitation and integration within contracts and roles. Team Green has translated learning into lower-carbon catering and green volunteering. GC reported its first emissions reduction across all three scopes in 2024–25, reflecting effectiveness of CL alongside wider measures.

 

Colleague Spotlight: Scott Whittaker's pledge in action

As his personal pledge, Scott encouraged neighbours in Chorlton to reduce supermarket deliveries and support local shops. Conversations expanded into school-uniform swaps and a community food-sharing group.

“One of the nicest outcomes was how it brought the community together even more,” said Scott.

At work, Scott supported CL and Journey to Net Zero training. This activity engaged more than 350 businesses across Greater Manchester, with more than 150 participants achieving formal certification.

Future Plan for GC

Continue delivery, strengthen pledge-action tracking, publish practical case studies and build a roadmap from Silver momentum towards Gold accreditation.