Carbon Literacy

Carbon literacy is the awareness of the carbon dioxide (CO2) impacts of everyday activities, combined with the knowledge, motivation, and ability to reduce emissions at an individual, community, and organisational level.

• The course aims to empower participants to make informed climate-friendly decisions.
  

• Certification requires one day of training.

The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth by trapping heat from the Sun. However, human activities (e.g. burning fossil fuels) increase GHGs, intensifying this effect and causing global warming.

Reducing your carbon footprint through dietary changes is possible by:

• Reducing meat consumption (especially beef and lamb).
• Choosing plant-based proteins.
• Eating locally produced and seasonal foods.
• Minimising processed foods.
• Reducing food waste.

Personal Carbon Footprint

• Your daily activities, including energy use, transport, and food choices, contribute to your carbon footprint.
• Actions to reduce your footprint include using public transport, reducing energy consumption, and minimising waste.

Footprint Tools: Try calculating your footprint using tools like the WWF Footprint Calculator.

Practical Steps to Reduce Carbon Footprints

1. Dietary Choices: Reduce meat and dairy consumption, opt for plant-based alternatives, and source local, seasonal foods.
2. Transportation: Use public transport, walk, or cycle where possible.
3. Energy Use: Improve energy efficiency at home and in the workplace.
4. Carbon Offsetting: Support projects that offset emissions (e.g. tree planting).
5. Waste Reduction: Minimise single-use plastics, recycle, and compost.

Climate change is accelerating at an unprecedented rate due to human activity. Reducing your carbon footprint is achievable through informed daily choices, and businesses play a crucial role in driving sustainability.

Reaching carbon neutrality will require effort across many sectors.

Key strategies include:

• Increasing investment in renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal).
• Phasing out coal and other high-emission energy sources.
• Implementing energy-efficient technologies in industries, buildings, and transport.
• Enforcing stricter energy efficiency standards.
• Investing in carbon capture technologies to reduce industrial emissions.
• Promoting electric vehicles and expanding charging infrastructure.
• Enhancing public transport and encouraging walking and cycling.
• Supporting tree planting initiatives to absorb CO2.

These strategies focus on reducing emissions on a larger scale and will help achieve meaningful climate impact.